HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 1994-053
RESOLUTION NO. 94-53
SUPPORTING LEGISLATION WHICH WILL PROVIDE FOR THE DISCLOSURE OF
VETERINARIAN RECORDS, WHICH PERTAIN TO RABIES CONTROL AND OTHER ZOONOSIS
CONTROL, TO THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND LOCAL HEALTH AUTHORITIES
WHEREAS, Rabies in animals continues to be a significant health threat in the state of Texas as evidenced by the
state health emergency declared by Governor Richards in July, 1994 due to an increase in rabies in South and West
Central; Texas and
WHEREAS, in 1993, the Texas Legislature enacted an amendment to the Veterinary Licensing Act, VCS Article
8890, which states that a veterinarian may not violate the confidential relationship between the veterinarian and a client
and may not be required to disclose any information without expressed written consent or another form of waiver
executed by the client or on receipt by the veterinarian of an appropriate court order or subpoena; and
WHEREAS, municipalities rely upon rabies vaccination records maintained by veterinarians in order to combat
rabies, which includes controlling animal populations and licensing dogs and cats within their jurisdictions; and
WHEREAS, the above cited amendment to the Veterinary Licensing Act may prelude municipal health
departments, county health departments, and the Texas Department of Health from obtaining from veterinarians rabies
vaccine records, rabies vaccination records, records of the treatment and quarantine of animals involved in bites or
those suspected of being rabid, and other records vital to zoonosis control; and
WHEREAS, revenues generated by dog and cat licensing programs contribute significantly to the budgets of
municipal animal control programs, which might face severe cutbacks if licensing revenues fall due to the inability of
the municipal health department to obtain rabies vaccination records from veterinarians; and
WHEREAS, it is recognized that the confidential relationship between a veterinarian and his/her clients should
not be interfered with unnecessarily, and that provisions should be made to protect veterinarian records which come
into the possession of state and local health departments.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of North Richland Hills, Texas supports
legislation intended to provide for the disclosure of veterinarian records, which pertain to rabies control and other
zoonosis control, to the Texas Department of Health and local health authorities.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 24th day of October, 1994.
APPROVED:
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ATTEST:
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APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
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