New Texas laws aims to streamline pet owners’ complaints, standardize veterinary practices

Two new Texas laws passed during the latest legislative session aim to help pet owners make more informed decisions about veterinary care while standardizing oversight of animal care facilities, experts say.

Senate Bill 2155 requires all veterinary practices to register with the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (TBVME). The law also grants the TBVME’s executive director authority to issue emergency orders—such as suspending a license or shutting down an unsafe facility—if public health or safety is at risk.

Meanwhile, House Bill 500 allocates $500,000 to expand the TBVME’s electronic database, giving pet owners access to records on complaints, inspections, and disciplinary actions against veterinarians.

TBVME Executive Director Brittany Sharkey told KTSM that the laws respond to a rise in customer complaints against veterinary practices in recent years. Both measures take effect September 1.

“SB 2155 allows us to license and regulate veterinary facilities, not just individual veterinarians,” Sharkey explained. “This adds an extra layer of protection, so pet owners can check a clinic’s record alongside their vet’s reputation.”

Dr. Priscilla Bowens, an El Paso veterinarian and attorney, said the changes will speed up complaint resolutions while protecting veterinarians from unfounded claims.

“Many colleagues felt complaints took too long to resolve, leaving vets under scrutiny for years,” Bowens said. “These reforms should bring more efficiency.”

Some veterinarians worry the laws could increase oversight by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), but Bowens believes the goal is to prepare the TBVME for independence. The board was placed under TDLR supervision in 2023 for a four-year period ending August 31, 2027, to improve licensing and enforcement processes.

“The focus is strengthening the TBVME before it transitions to autonomy,” Bowens said.

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