Sec. 801.361. DISPOSAL OF ANIMAL REMAINS. (a) In this section, " medical waste" includes animal waste, blood, gloves, sleeves, newspapers, and plastic bags, but does not include sharps.

(b) A veterinarian may dispose of the remains of an animal and medical waste associated with the animal by burial or burning if:

(1) the burial or burning occurs on property owned by the veterinarian that is located:

(A) outside the corporate boundaries of a municipality; or

(B) within the corporate boundaries of a municipality as a result of an annexation that occurs on or after September 1, 2003; and

(2) at least one of the following requirements is met:

(A) a veterinarian-client-patient relationship existed between the veterinarian, the owner or other caretaker of the animal, and the animal before the animal's death;

(B) the veterinarian diagnosed, treated, boarded, or otherwise cared for the animal before its death; or

(C) the veterinarian performed euthanasia or an autopsy on the animal.

(c) Notwithstanding any other law, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality may not adopt a rule that prohibits conduct authorized by this section.

(d) The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality may not adopt a rule that relates to the disposal of animal remains under this section unless the rule is developed in cooperation with and is approved by the Texas Animal Health Commission.

(e) This section prevails over any other law that authorizes a governmental entity to:

(1) prohibit or restrict outdoor burning; or

(2) abate a public nuisance.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 965, Sec. 17.01, eff. Sept. 1, 2001. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 806, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1333, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.

Amended by:

Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 728 (H.B. 2018), Sec. 23.001(74), eff. September 1, 2005.