bill setting an income test for shelter vet care

The text as introduced · 269 words

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.