88R8769 MCF-D
By: Talarico H.B. No. 2063
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to informed consent obtained before a dog or cat may be
boarded at a kennel and left unattended when employees are not
present; creating a criminal offense.
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. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "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 WHEN EMPLOYEES ARE NOT PRESENT. 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 written
notice to the owner of the dog or cat that the dog or cat will be
left unattended at the kennel without an employee present during
the hours specified in the notice; 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. CRIMINAL PENALTY. (a) A kennel owner or
operator commits an offense if:
(1) the owner or operator violates Section 824.003;
and
(2) a dog or cat boarded at or receiving services from
the kennel is injured or dies when left unattended at the kennel.
(b) An offense under this section is a Class B misdemeanor.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.