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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to informed consent obtained before a dog or cat may be |
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boarded at a kennel and left unattended when employees are not |
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present; creating a criminal offense. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Title 10, Health and Safety Code, is amended by |
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adding Chapter 824 to read as follows: |
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CHAPTER 824. KENNELS |
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Sec. 824.001. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "kennel" means |
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a facility, including a veterinary medicine clinic, that provides |
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boarding and related services to dogs or cats for breeding, |
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sheltering, training, hunting, or similar purposes in exchange for |
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compensation or other consideration. |
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Sec. 824.002. EXCEPTIONS TO APPLICABILITY OF CHAPTER. This |
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chapter does not apply to: |
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(1) an animal shelter as defined by Chapter 823; or |
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(2) a kennel that boards not more than three dogs or |
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cats at any time. |
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Sec. 824.003. REQUIRED INFORMED CONSENT FOR BOARDING OR |
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PROVIDING SERVICES TO DOG OR CAT WHEN EMPLOYEES ARE NOT PRESENT. A |
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kennel owner or operator who is boarding or providing services to a |
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dog or cat at the kennel may not leave the dog or cat unattended |
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without an employee present unless: |
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(1) the kennel owner or operator provides written |
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notice to the owner of the dog or cat that the dog or cat will be |
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left unattended at the kennel without an employee present during |
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the hours specified in the notice; and |
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(2) the owner of the dog or cat provides to the kennel |
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owner or operator a signed document consenting to the dog or cat |
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being left unattended as provided in the notice. |
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Sec. 824.004. CRIMINAL PENALTY. (a) A kennel owner or |
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operator commits an offense if: |
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(1) the owner or operator violates Section 824.003; |
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and |
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(2) a dog or cat boarded at or receiving services from |
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the kennel is injured or dies when left unattended at the kennel. |
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(b) An offense under this section is a Class B misdemeanor. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |