SB 5102 -
By Committee on Judiciary
ADOPTED 04/09/2013
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 1 A new section is added to chapter 16.52 RCW
to read as follows:
A veterinarian lawfully licensed in this state to practice
veterinary medicine, surgery, and dentistry who reports, in good faith
and in the normal course of business, a suspected incident of animal
cruelty that is punishable under this chapter to the proper authorities
is immune from liability in any civil or criminal action brought
against such veterinarian for reporting the suspected incident. The
immunity provided in this section applies only if the veterinarian
receives no financial benefit from the suspected incident of animal
cruelty beyond charges for services rendered prior to the veterinarian
making the initial report."
Correct the title.
EFFECT: Provides that the immunity does not apply if the veterinarian benefits financially from the suspected animal cruelty, aside from payment for services provided prior to reporting.