82R24786 T
By: Coleman H.B. No. 2116
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 2116:
By: Marquez C.S.H.B. No. 2116
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to standards of care for dogs and cats; creating an
offense.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 821, Health and Safety
Code, is amended by adding Section 821.082 to read as follows:
Sec. 821.082. ENCLOSURE OF DOGS AND CATS. (a) In this
section:
(a) An owner may not place dogs or cats in a primary
enclosure on top of another primary enclosure without an impervious
barrier between the enclosures.
SECTION 2. Section 821.079 is applied should an owner
violate section 821.082.
SECTION 3. STUDY OF STANDARDS OF CARE FOR DOGS AND CATS.
The executive commissioner shall conduct a study regarding the
proper standards for care and confinement for dogs and cats to
ensure the overall health and welfare of each dog or cat. Not later
than August 31, 2012, the executive commissioner shall submit a
report to the chairs of the appropriate legislative committees
summarizing the findings of the study required by this section.
This subsection expires September 1, 2013. Rules may be
adopted from recommendations of the study. A member of a club or an
affiliate organization of a national kennel club whose mission is
stated in the charter and bylaws to "advocate the purebred dog as a
family companion, advance canine health and well-being, work to
protect the rights of all dog owners and promote responsible dog
ownership" is exempt from rules that may be adopted.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2011.