RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 59 (HB 842) 2022 Regular Session McMahen
New law provides that licensed veterinarians or licensed veterinary technicians who report
suspected criminal acts shall be immune from civil liability or criminal prosecution if they
report in good faith and have reasonable cause.
Existing law (R.S. 37:1511 et seq.) provides for the licensing of veterinarians. Existing law
(R.S. 37:1541 et seq.) provides for the licensing of veterinary technicians.
New law provides for the reportable suspected criminal acts: cruelty to animals, simple and
aggravated (R.S. 14:102.1); dogfighting (R.S. 14:102.5); injuring or killing of a police
animal (R.S. 14:102.8); hog and canine fighting (R.S. 14:102.19); sport killing of zoo or
circus animals (R.S. 14:102.20); cockfighting (R.S. 14:102.23); or unlawful restraint of a dog
(R.S. 14:102.26).
New law provides for immunity from liability if the veterinarian or veterinary technician
reports such violation to the commissioner or designee of the Dept. of Agriculture and
Forestry, a P.O.S.T. certified animal control officer, a law enforcement agency, or a
prosecuting attorney. New law further extends the immunity from liability to a veterinarian
or veterinary technician who releases confidential information pursuant to a subpoena, court-
ordered disclosure, or with written consent of the animal's owner or owner's legal
representative.
New law does not apply if the veterinarian or veterinary technician acts with gross
negligence, willful misconduct, or in bad faith.
Effective August 1, 2022.
(Adds R.S. 9:2800.28)