Sec. 88.708. POWERS AND DUTIES. (a) The Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory shall:

(1) provide diagnostic testing to aid in the identification of diseases affecting animals;

(2) provide testing to facilitate the international, intrastate, or interstate shipment of animals;

(3) identify and monitor disease epidemics in animals;

(4) assist livestock owners and veterinarians to identify, diagnose, and treat disease and other animal health matters, including matters that could affect human health;

(5) report the identification of a disease or other animal health matter, including a matter that could affect human health, to the appropriate state or federal agency or official as required by law;

(6) disseminate to veterinarians, animal owners, and the public news and other information, including information relating to general trends in animal health derived from diagnostic testing, that the laboratory determines appropriate concerning animal disease outbreaks and other animal health matters, including matters that could affect human health; and

(7) perform other functions as provided by law or that the laboratory determines necessary or appropriate to provide diagnostics, surveillance, and reporting of diseases affecting animals.

(b) The laboratory may provide diagnostic testing services for pets and other domestic animals or out-of-state clients only when and to the extent that laboratory resources are not required for diagnostic testing services for livestock in this state.

Redesignated from Education Code, Subchapter I, Chapter 88 and amended by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 111 (H.B. 2024), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2007.