Senate Bill No. 2155 seeks to enhance the regulation of veterinary professionals and facilities in Texas by amending various sections of the Occupations Code. The bill introduces definitions for "veterinary medical facility" and "management services organization," clarifying the scope of veterinary practice. It expands the authority of the executive director of the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, allowing for improved oversight of personnel and operational duties, including licensing and enforcement. The board is also required to adopt rules for the investigation and disposition of complaints, ensuring that they are properly categorized and not dismissed without due consideration. Additionally, the bill establishes a more robust electronic system for data related to license holders and complaints, implements risk-based inspections, and introduces provisions for consumer refunds in cases of disciplinary action against license holders.

Further amendments include the introduction of Subsection (c-1) in Section 801.2055, which permits the board to contract with qualified individuals for reviewing or investigating complaints requiring medical expertise, granting them immunity from liability except in cases of fraud, conspiracy, or malice. The bill also emphasizes the confidentiality of complaints and investigations, with specific exceptions, and allows the board to defer final actions on complaints under certain conditions. New provisions mandate the registration of veterinary medical facilities, including those providing remote services, and outline the application process and operational standards. The bill also grants the board or executive director the authority to issue emergency orders to protect public health and safety without prior notice or hearing, while establishing administrative penalties for non-compliance and setting a registration deadline for facilities by September 1, 2027.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Occupations Code 801.002, Occupations Code 801.023, Occupations Code 801.101, Occupations Code 801.102, Occupations Code 801.103, Occupations Code 801.151, Occupations Code 801.156, Occupations Code 801.157, Occupations Code 801.158, Occupations Code 801.161, Occupations Code 801.163, Occupations Code 801.164, Occupations Code 801.205, Occupations Code 801.2051, Occupations Code 801.2052, Occupations Code 801.2055, Occupations Code 801.2056, Occupations Code 801.207, Occupations Code 801.208, Occupations Code 801.406, Occupations Code 801.407, Occupations Code 801.408, Occupations Code 801.453, Occupations Code 801.454, Occupations Code 801.455, Occupations Code 801.456, Occupations Code 801.457, Occupations Code 801.502, Occupations Code 801.508 (Occupations Code 801)
Senate Committee Report: Occupations Code 801.002, Occupations Code 801.023, Occupations Code 801.101, Occupations Code 801.102, Occupations Code 801.103, Occupations Code 801.151, Occupations Code 801.156, Occupations Code 801.157, Occupations Code 801.158, Occupations Code 801.161, Occupations Code 801.163, Occupations Code 801.164, Occupations Code 801.205, Occupations Code 801.2051, Occupations Code 801.2052, Occupations Code 801.2055, Occupations Code 801.2056, Occupations Code 801.207, Occupations Code 801.208, Occupations Code 801.406, Occupations Code 801.407, Occupations Code 801.408, Occupations Code 801.453, Occupations Code 801.454, Occupations Code 801.455, Occupations Code 801.456, Occupations Code 801.457, Occupations Code 801.502, Occupations Code 801.508 (Occupations Code 801)
Engrossed: Occupations Code 801.002, Occupations Code 801.023, Occupations Code 801.101, Occupations Code 801.102, Occupations Code 801.103, Occupations Code 801.151, Occupations Code 801.156, Occupations Code 801.157, Occupations Code 801.158, Occupations Code 801.161, Occupations Code 801.163, Occupations Code 801.164, Occupations Code 801.205, Occupations Code 801.2051, Occupations Code 801.2052, Occupations Code 801.2055, Occupations Code 801.2056, Occupations Code 801.207, Occupations Code 801.208, Occupations Code 801.406, Occupations Code 801.407, Occupations Code 801.408, Occupations Code 801.453, Occupations Code 801.454, Occupations Code 801.455, Occupations Code 801.456, Occupations Code 801.457, Occupations Code 801.508 (Occupations Code 801)
House Committee Report: Occupations Code 801.002, Occupations Code 801.023, Occupations Code 801.101, Occupations Code 801.102, Occupations Code 801.103, Occupations Code 801.151, Occupations Code 801.156, Occupations Code 801.157, Occupations Code 801.158, Occupations Code 801.161, Occupations Code 801.163, Occupations Code 801.164, Occupations Code 801.205, Occupations Code 801.2051, Occupations Code 801.2052, Occupations Code 801.2055, Occupations Code 801.2056, Occupations Code 801.207, Occupations Code 801.208, Occupations Code 801.406, Occupations Code 801.407, Occupations Code 801.408, Occupations Code 801.453, Occupations Code 801.454, Occupations Code 801.455, Occupations Code 801.456, Occupations Code 801.457, Occupations Code 801.508 (Occupations Code 801)