09-07-94-5.6 - Resolution - 09/07/1994q so£ution
RESOLUTION NO. 09-07-94-5.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLLEGE
STATION URGING THE TEXAS MUNICIPAL LEAGUE TO SEEK
INTRODUCTION AND PASSAGE OF A BILL WHICH WILL PROVIDE FOR
THE DISCLOSURE OF VETERINARIAN RECORDS, PERTAINING 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 of 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 and 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 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 departments to obtain rabies vaccination records from
veterinarians; and
WHEREAS, it is recognized that the confidential relationship between a
veterinarian and his clients should not be interfered with unnecessarily, and
that provision 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 THE
CITY OF COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS:
That the Texas Municipal League is urged to seek introduction and passage
of a bill which will provide for the disclosure by authorities of information and
records relating to: zoonosis control, rabies vaccine, rabies vaccinations, and
the treatment and quarantine of animals which have infiicted bites or
scratches on humans or 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.
PASSED and APPROVED this
'day of~1994.
APPROVED:
A'i-I'EST: