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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the prohibited requirement of a rabies report on or |
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quarantine of certain domesticated dogs, cats, and ferrets. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter E, Chapter 826, Health and Safety |
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Code, is amended by adding Section 826.0425 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 826.0425. PROHIBITED REQUIREMENT OF CERTAIN REPORTS OR |
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QUARANTINE. The executive commissioner may not adopt a rule to |
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require: |
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(1) a person to report an incident involving an animal |
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bite or scratch if: |
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(A) the bite or scratch was from a domesticated |
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dog, cat, or ferret; and |
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(B) the person does not reasonably foresee the |
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dog, cat, or ferret as capable of transmitting rabies and does not |
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suspect the dog, cat, or ferret is rabid; or |
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(2) the owner of a domesticated dog, cat, or ferret to |
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submit the animal to quarantine under this chapter if the owner |
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lacks probable cause to believe the animal is rabid or may have been |
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exposed to rabies. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |