Enrolled Bill Summary

Senate Bill 1010	Senate Author:  Taylor
Effective:  9-1-13	House Sponsor:  Bonnen, Greg

            Senate Bill 1010 amends the Health and Safety Code to prohibit the owner, manager, or operator of a public facility, public conveyance, or public mode of transportation, or such a person's employee or agent, from denying admittance to a search and rescue dog, or the dog's handler, because of the dog's presence, or from requiring the handler to pay an additional fare, as applicable, because of the dog. The bill establishes the conduct that constitutes discrimination against a search and rescue dog or the dog's handler and prohibits a policy relating to the use of a public facility by certain persons from banning such a dog or handler from using that facility. The bill entitles a search and rescue dog's handler to full and equal access to all housing accommodations in Texas in the same manner as other members of the general public and prohibits the handler from being required to pay an extra fee, charge, or deposit for the dog. The bill makes it a misdemeanor offense punishable by a fine to discriminate against a search and rescue dog or the dog's handler and establishes a defense to prosecution if the actor requested the handler's credentials and the handler failed to provide the credentials. The bill establishes a handler's responsibilities in accompanying a search and rescue dog and provides for the civil liability of a handler, a local governmental unit, and a public servant with respect to search and rescue dogs. The bill authorizes a person to ask a handler to display proof that the handler is a person with a certification issued by a state or nationally recognized search and rescue agency.