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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the regulation of kennels; creating a criminal offense. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Title 10, Health and Safety Code, is amended by |
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adding Chapter 824 to read as follows: |
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CHAPTER 824. KENNELS |
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Sec. 824.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: |
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(1) "Fire protection sprinkler system" has the meaning |
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assigned by Section 766.051. |
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(2) "Kennel" means a facility that provides boarding |
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and related services to dogs or cats for breeding, sheltering, |
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training, hunting, or similar purposes in exchange for compensation |
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or other consideration. |
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Sec. 824.002. EXCEPTIONS TO APPLICABILITY OF CHAPTER. This |
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chapter does not apply to: |
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(1) an animal shelter as defined by Chapter 823; |
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(2) a veterinary medicine clinic; or |
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(3) a kennel that boards not more than three dogs or |
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cats at any time. |
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Sec. 824.003. REQUIRED SMOKE OR SIMILAR DETECTION SYSTEM OR |
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EMPLOYEE PRESENCE. (a) A kennel owner or operator shall: |
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(1) install and maintain in good working order a smoke |
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or similar detection system in each building on the premises of the |
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kennel; or |
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(2) ensure a kennel employee remains on the premises |
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at all times when one or more dogs or cats are on the premises for |
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boarding and related services. |
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(b) The system required under Subsection (a)(1) must: |
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(1) include a fire protection sprinkler system; |
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(2) be operable at all times when a dog or cat is on the |
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premises of the kennel; and |
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(3) instantaneously alert a kennel employee and each |
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local fire department with jurisdiction over the kennel on |
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detection of a fire or potential fire hazard that triggers the |
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system. |
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Sec. 824.004. CRIMINAL PENALTY. (a) A kennel owner or |
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operator commits an offense if: |
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(1) the owner or operator violates Section 824.003; |
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and |
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(2) the violation results in the injury or death of a |
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dog or cat boarded at or receiving services from the kennel. |
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(b) An offense under this section is a Class B misdemeanor. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |