BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 552

By: Kolkhorst

Public Health

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, roughly 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs each year nationwide, with roughly 800,000 of those requiring medical attention. Children account for approximately half of all dog-bite victims and research has shown that children have more severe injuries resulting from these attacks. Incidents of dog bites in Texas are frequently reported in the news and many reflect tragic outcomes. However, there is a lack of statewide data that can indicate if dog bites and the severity of dog bites are increasing. In an effort to gain greater understanding and information on dog bites occurring in Texas, S.B. 552 requires each animal control authority to annually report to the Department of State Health Services dog bites that result in bodily injury, serious bodily injury, or death.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

S.B. 552 amends the Health and Safety Code to require each animal control authority to submit to the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) in the form and manner prescribed by DSHS an annual report regarding dog bites that occurred in the preceding year in the authority's jurisdiction and resulted in bodily injury, serious bodily injury, or death of a person. The report must include the following information for each dog bite:

· the date of the dog bite;

· the county or municipality in which the dog bite occurred;

· the age of the victim of the dog bite;

· the breed of the dog that caused the dog bite;

· whether the dog bite resulted in bodily injury, serious bodily injury, or death;

· whether the victim as a result of the injuries sustained received inpatient treatment at a hospital or emergency medical treatment at an emergency medical care facility or hospital emergency room;

· whether the dog was previously determined to be a dangerous dog;

· whether the dog had previously bitten a person, resulting in bodily injury, serious bodily injury, or death; and

· whether as a result of the dog bite a person was charged with a criminal offense.

An animal control authority is not required to submit a report until December 1, 2022.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2021.