HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2005A Resolution a~ ~~
URGING THE TEXAS MUNICIPAL LEAGUE TO SEEK INTRODUCTION AND PASSAGE
OF A 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 m 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 concerning the veterinarian s care for an animal except on written
authorization 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 preclude 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 m 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 departments to obtain
rabies vaccination records from veterinarians; and
WHEREA5 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
C1TY OF F"08T ~iTORTS
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Fort Worth, Texas
That the Texas Municipal League is urged to seek introduction and passage of legislation which will
provide for the disclosure by veterinarians to th~ Texas Department of Health and local health
authorities of information and records relating to zoonos~s control, rabies vaccine, rabies vaccinations,
and the treatment and quarantine of animals which have inflicted bites or scratches on humans ar
which are suspected of being rabid, and which will further provide that such records, when in the
possession of the state and local health departments, are protected from public disclosure except in
limited circumstances.
Adopted thi~ day of August, 1994
yor Kay Grang
APPROVED
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AU6 ~~ 194
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Citq of F°ozt wa~e2e, ~~
CITY OF FORT WORTH