NY Educ L § 6714 (2021)
2021 New York Laws EDN - Education Title 8 - The Professions Article 135 - Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health Technology 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.* NB Effective until February 27, 2022* (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 in violation of section three hundred fifty-one,  three  hundred   fifty-three  or  three  hundred  fifty-three-a  of  the  agriculture and   markets law, the veterinarian shall report  the  incident  and  disclose   records concerning the companion animal's condition and treatment to any   officer   or   agent  authorized  pursuant  to  sections  three  hundred   seventy-one and three  hundred  seventy-three  of  the  agriculture  and   markets  law to respond to and investigate complaints of animal cruelty.   The identity of such veterinarian  making  a  report  pursuant  to  this   paragraph shall only be made available to an officer or agent authorized   pursuant   to   section  three  hundred  seventy-one  or  three  hundred   seventy-three of the agriculture and markets law.* NB Effective February 27, 2022* (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.* NB Effective until February 27, 2022* (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  any  officer  or  agent   authorized pursuant to sections  three  hundred  seventy-one  and  three   hundred  seventy-three  of the agriculture and markets law to respond to   and investigate complaints of  animal  cruelty.  The  identity  of  such    veterinarian  making  a disclosure of records pursuant to this paragraph   shall only be made available to an officer or agent authorized  pursuant   to  section  three hundred seventy-one or three hundred seventy-three of   the agriculture and markets law.* NB Effective February 27, 2022* (c)  Any  such  veterinarian  who  reports  an incident or discloses   records concerning a companion animal's condition and treatment pursuant   to paragraph (a) or (b) of this subdivision shall be entitled to receive   and be provided with, at  no  cost  to  such  veterinarian,  written  or   electronic  documentation of such report by the agent or officer to whom   such report was made. Such report shall include but not  be  limited  to   the  date  such  report was made, the identity of the individual against   whom such report was made, the species and  description  of  the  animal   about  which  such  report  was  made, the nature of the injuries to the   animal and the name and license number of the veterinarian who made such   report.* NB Effective February 27, 20223. 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.