Court Opinions

State Laws

US Code

US Constitution

New York Education - Article 135 - § 6714 Treatment Records

Legal Research Home > New York Laws > New York Education (EDN) > New York Education - Article 135 - § 6714 Treatment Records

 
    § 6714. Treatment  records.  1. Upon written request from the owner of
  an animal which has received treatment from or under the supervision  of
  a  veterinarian,  such veterinarian shall provide to such owner within a
  reasonable time period a copy of all records relating to  the  treatment
  of  such  animal.  For  the purposes of this section, the term "records"
  shall mean all information concerning or related to the  examination  or
  treatment of the animal kept by the veterinarian in the course of his or
  her  practice.  A  veterinarian  may  impose  a  reasonable  charge  for
  providing copies of such records. A veterinarian may make  available  to
  the  owner  either  the  original  or  a copy of such record or document
  including x-rays, electrocardiograms and other diagnostic tests and  may
  impose a reasonable fee for the reproduction of such copies.
    2.  A  veterinarian  licensed  pursuant  to this article, may disclose
  records, as defined in this section, concerning a  companion  animal  as
  defined  in  section  three hundred fifty of the agriculture and markets
  law which has  received  treatment  by  such  veterinarian  without  the
  consent   of   the   companion   animal's   owner  under  the  following
  circumstances:
    (a) When a veterinarian reasonably and in good faith suspects  that  a
  companion  animal's injury, illness or condition is the result of animal
  cruelty or a violation of any state or federal  law  pertaining  to  the
  care,   treatment,   abuse   or  neglect  of  a  companion  animal,  the
  veterinarian may report the incident and disclose records concerning the
  companion  animal's  condition  and  treatment  to  the   police,   duly
  incorporated  society  for  the  prevention of cruelty to animals, peace
  officer, district attorney's office, animal control officer,  department
  of  agriculture and markets, other appropriate government agency, or any
  agent thereof.
    (b) When a veterinarian reasonably believes that disclosure of records
  as defined in this section,  is  necessary  to  protect  the  health  or
  welfare  of a companion animal, a person or the public, the veterinarian
  may disclose such records to the police, duly incorporated  society  for
  the  prevention  of  cruelty  to  animals, peace officer, animal control
  officer,  department  of  agriculture  and  markets,  other  appropriate
  government agency, or any agent thereof.
    3.  A  veterinarian  acts  in  good  faith  within the meaning of this
  section when he or she reasonably believes that his or her  actions  are
  necessary  to  protect the health and welfare of the companion animal or
  the public.
    4. A  veterinarian  who  reasonably  and  in  good  faith  reports  or
  discloses  records  in accordance with this section shall be immune from
  liability in the form of damages in any civil or criminal proceeding  on
  account of such reporting or disclosure.

Last modified: February 15, 2012