BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 552
87R5260 SRA-D	By: Kolkhorst
	Health & Human Services
	4/9/2021
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, roughly 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs each year in the United States, with 800,000 requiring medical attention. Children account for approximately half of all dog bite victims and research has shown that children have the highest risk of dog bites and their severity of injuries are greater. Incidents of dog bites in Texas are frequently reported in the news and many reflect tragic outcomes. However, there is a lack of Texas statewide data that can indicate if dog bites and the severity of dog bites are increasing in Texas. 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. The report must include the date and county in which the dog bite occurred, the age of the victim, breed of dog, the extent of injuries, and hospitalization required to treat the victim. The report also requires whether the dog was a dangerous dog and has previously bitten other individuals and if the dog owners were charged with a criminal offense as a result of the dog bite.

As proposed, S.B. 552 amends current law relating to an annual report regarding certain dog bites.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 822, Health and Safety Code, by adding Section 822.008, as follows:

Sec. 822.008. ANNUAL REPORT OF DOG BITES. Requires 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. Requires that the report include the following information for each dog bite:

(1) the date of the dog bite;

(2) the county or municipality in which the dog bite occurred;

(3) the age of the victim of the dog bite;

(4) the breed of the dog that caused the dog bite;

(5) whether the dog bite resulted in bodily injury, serious bodily injury, or death;

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

(7) whether the dog was previously determined to be a dangerous dog under Subchapter D (Dangerous Dogs);

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

(9) whether as a result of the dog bite a person was charged with a criminal offense under Chapter 822 (Regulation of Animals) or any other law.

SECTION 2. Provides that, notwithstanding Section 822.008, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act, an animal control authority is not required to submit a report until December 1, 2022.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2021.