All licensed professionals are subject to certain laws and rules that apply to their professions. The Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (TBVME), currently under the administrative umbrella of the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR) by state law, is the state agency that licenses and regulates veterinarians. As a result, TBVME also receives complaints about veterinarians and initiates enforcement actions against them for violations of rules and laws as needed.
Violations of rules and laws related to your profession can lead to disciplinary complaints and sanctions that adversely affect your career. In severe cases, you could even face a license suspension or revocation, which affects your ability to keep your job and support yourself. A Texas veterinary license defense lawyer can represent your interests before the TBVME and put you in the best position to handle the disciplinary proceedings against you.
As part of its temporary oversight duties for the TBVME, TDLR has final enforcement and rulemaking authority, and TBVME will act as a TDLR advisory board. However, the TDLR may not adopt new rules related to the scope of practice or standard of care unless the TBVME advisory board proposes them.
According to current legislation, TDLR must provide statutory recommendations to improve TBVME’s operations to the Sunset Advisory Commission and the standing committees with jurisdiction over TBVME before the 89th Legislative Session begins. TDLR also must review all TBVME rules and provide the opportunity for public comment by December 31, 2026.
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Per its duties, TDLR recently proposed specific rule changes on behalf of TBVME. These proposed changes affect the rules found at 22 TAC, Chapter 573, Rules of Professional Conduct, and were published in the April 12, 2024, issue of the Texas Register. TDLR will accept comments on the proposed rules for 30 days after publication.
- 573.83 Price Transparency for Emergency Care
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The proposed rules add §573.83, Price Transparency for Emergency Care. This section defines “emergency care” as “medical care rendered to an ill or injured animal that, in the reasoned opinion of the veterinarian, has a life-threatening condition and immediate medical treatment is necessary to sustain life or alleviate or end suffering.”
Under the proposed rule, a veterinarian must disclose to the owner or caretaker of an animal that it requires emergency care and treatment, including a description of the proposed treatment(s), with reasonable option(s), if any, and an estimated price of the treatment option(s). If the animal’s medical condition changes before treatment is given, the veterinarian must update the required disclosures.
Additionally, the proposed rules clarify that the person who presents the animal for emergency care is presumed to be the animal’s owner or caretaker.
Bertolino, LLP: Ready to Defend Your Interests Before the TBVME
Retaining an experienced Texas veterinary license defense attorney to represent you before the TBVME is in your best interest. We are here to protect our interests throughout every stage of your disciplinary proceedings. Contact the lawyers of Bertolino, LLP today by calling (512) 515-9518 or visiting us online.
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