S.B. No. 613 seeks to strengthen the regulation of veterinary medicine in Texas by amending the Occupations Code. The bill introduces new definitions such as "Affiliate," "Business entity," and "Certified veterinary assistant," which clarify the roles within veterinary practices. It establishes stricter guidelines to prevent non-veterinarians, particularly private equity firms, from exerting control over veterinary practices, including prohibiting certain contract provisions that could limit veterinarians' professional autonomy. Additionally, the bill increases civil penalties for violations from $1,000 to $5,000 per day, enhancing enforcement against unlicensed practices and other infractions.

The legislation also mandates that all owners or partners of veterinary business entities must hold valid veterinary licenses and prohibits various forms of interference with veterinarians' practices, such as imposing compliance with specific standards or retaliating against them for reporting violations. The bill clarifies that its provisions will apply only to contracts entered into or renewed after its effective date of September 1, 2025, ensuring a smooth transition from previous laws. Overall, S.B. No. 613 aims to protect the integrity of veterinary practices and prioritize animal welfare while upholding veterinarians' professional judgment.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Occupations Code 801.002, Occupations Code 801.352, Occupations Code 801.354, Occupations Code 801.402, Occupations Code 801.353, Occupations Code 801.503, Occupations Code 801.504, Occupations Code 801.506 (Occupations Code 801)