HB1614 - Relating to veterinary services performed on certain animals in the care of a releasing agency.

  89R1434 LRM-D     By: Johnson H.B. No. 1614       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to veterinary services performed on certain animals in   the care of a releasing agency.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 828.012, Health and Safety Code, is   amended by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (b-1) to   read as follows:          (b)  A veterinarian employed by a releasing agency may not   perform nonemergency veterinary services other than sterilization   on an animal that the releasing agency knows or should know has an   owner.  However, this subsection does not prevent a veterinarian   employed by a releasing agency from performing veterinary services   on an animal whose owner :                   (1)  is an individual or family whose income is:                       (A)     not more than 50 percent of the median income   for the area in which the individual or family lives as determined   using a source or methodology accepted under federal law or rule; or                         (B)     less than the federal poverty level for the   relevant household size; and                 (2)     submits to the releasing agency evidence to   establish the owner qualifies as an individual or family described   by Subdivision (1) [ is indigent ].           (b-1)     If a veterinarian employed by a releasing agency   performs veterinary services on an animal whose owner qualifies as   an individual or family described by Subsection (b)(1), the agency   shall:                 (1)     maintain the evidence the owner submits to the   agency under Subsection (b)(2); and                   (2)     on request of the State Board of Veterinary   Medical Examiners, provide the evidence to the board for   inspection.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.