88R17903 MCF-D
 
  By: Talarico, Patterson H.B. No. 2063
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to required informed consent before a dog or cat may be
  boarded at a kennel and left unattended; providing a civil penalty.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Title 10, Health and Safety Code, is amended by
  adding Chapter 824 to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 824. KENNELS
         Sec. 824.001.  DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
               (1)  "Fire protection sprinkler system" has the meaning
  assigned by Section 766.051.
               (2)  "Kennel" means a facility, including a veterinary
  medicine clinic, that provides boarding and related services to
  dogs or cats for breeding, sheltering, training, hunting, or
  similar purposes in exchange for compensation or other
  consideration.
         Sec. 824.002.  EXCEPTIONS TO APPLICABILITY OF CHAPTER. This
  chapter does not apply to:
               (1)  an animal shelter as defined by Chapter 823; or
               (2)  a kennel that boards not more than three dogs or
  cats at any time.
         Sec. 824.003.  REQUIRED INFORMED CONSENT FOR BOARDING OR
  PROVIDING SERVICES TO DOG OR CAT TO BE LEFT UNATTENDED. A kennel
  owner or operator who is boarding or providing services to a dog or
  cat at the kennel may not leave the dog or cat unattended without an
  employee present unless:
               (1)  the kennel owner or operator provides to the owner
  of the dog or cat written notice that:
                     (A)  the dog or cat will be left unattended at the
  kennel without an employee present during the hours specified in
  the notice; and
                     (B)  if the kennel is not equipped with a
  functioning fire protection sprinkler system, the facility does not
  have a fire protection sprinkler system; and
               (2)  the owner of the dog or cat provides to the kennel
  owner or operator a signed document consenting to the dog or cat
  being left unattended as provided in the notice.
         Sec. 824.004.  CIVIL PENALTY. (a) A kennel owner or
  operator who violates Section 824.003 is liable for a civil penalty
  in an amount equal to $500 for each animal subject to the violation
  and for each day the violation continues.
         (b)  The attorney general or the appropriate district or
  county attorney may:
               (1)  bring an action on behalf of this state to collect
  the civil penalty under this section; and
               (2)  recover attorney's fees and costs incurred in
  bringing the action.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.