85R12291 KJE-D
 
  By: West S.B. No. 1930
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the adoption of cats and dogs previously used for
  research at public institutions of higher education.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 51.956 to read as follows:
         Sec. 51.956.  ADOPTION OF RETIRED RESEARCH ANIMALS. (a) In
  this section:
               (1)  "Animal rescue organization" means an
  organization established primarily to rescue animals and offer the
  animals for adoption.
               (2)  "Animal shelter" means a facility that is operated
  by an organization and established primarily to shelter and care
  for stray or abandoned animals and offer those animals for
  adoption.
               (3)  "Institution of higher education" has the meaning
  assigned by Section 61.003.
               (4)  "Retired research animal" means a cat or dog that
  an institution of higher education used in experiments conducted
  for education, research, science, or testing purposes and no longer
  needs for those purposes.
         (b)  An institution of higher education shall assess the
  health of a retired research animal on its retirement to determine
  whether the animal has a substantial medical condition that
  prevents the animal from successfully integrating into an adoptive
  home.  If the animal does not have such a condition, the institution
  shall offer the animal for adoption:
               (1)  through an animal rescue organization or animal
  shelter; or
               (2)  by an individual through an arrangement between
  the institution and individual.
         (c)  An institution of higher education may enter into a
  written agreement with an animal rescue organization or animal
  shelter that:
               (1)  provides for a veterinarian employed by the
  organization or shelter to perform the health assessment of the
  institution's retired research animals as required under
  Subsection (b); or
               (2)  addresses the transfer of the institution's
  retired research animals to the organization or shelter.
         (d)  The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board may adopt
  rules necessary to implement this section.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.