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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to veterinary services performed on certain animals in |
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the care of a releasing agency. |
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       BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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       SECTION 1.  Section 828.012(b), Health and Safety Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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       (b)  A veterinarian employed by a releasing agency may not |
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perform nonemergency veterinary services other than sterilization |
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on an animal that the releasing agency knows or should know has an |
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owner.  However, this subsection does not prevent a veterinarian |
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employed by a releasing agency from performing veterinary services |
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on an animal whose owner:  |
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             (1)  is an individual or family whose income is: |
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                   (A)  not more than 80 percent of the median income |
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for the area in which the individual or family lives as determined |
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using a source or methodology accepted under federal law or rule; or  |
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                   (B)  less than the federal poverty level for the |
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relevant household size; and |
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             (2)  submits to the releasing agency evidence to |
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establish the owner qualifies as an individual or family described |
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by Subdivision (1) [is indigent]. |
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       SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |