| 1 | 1 | | 89R9250 MCF-D |
|---|
| 2 | 2 | | By: Bhojani H.B. No. 2653 |
|---|
| 3 | 3 | | |
|---|
| 4 | 4 | | |
|---|
| 5 | 5 | | |
|---|
| 6 | 6 | | |
|---|
| 7 | 7 | | A BILL TO BE ENTITLED |
|---|
| 8 | 8 | | AN ACT |
|---|
| 9 | 9 | | relating to the prohibited performance of certain procedures |
|---|
| 10 | 10 | | affecting cat claw functioning; providing a civil penalty. |
|---|
| 11 | 11 | | BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|---|
| 12 | 12 | | SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 821, Health and Safety |
|---|
| 13 | 13 | | Code, is amended by adding Section 821.005 to read as follows: |
|---|
| 14 | 14 | | Sec. 821.005. PROHIBITION ON CERTAIN PROCEDURES PERFORMED |
|---|
| 15 | 15 | | ON CATS; CIVIL PENALTY. (a) Except as provided by Subsections (b) |
|---|
| 16 | 16 | | and (c), a person may not perform a procedure on a cat that prevents |
|---|
| 17 | 17 | | the normal functioning of a claw of the cat, including: |
|---|
| 18 | 18 | | (1) an onychectomy; |
|---|
| 19 | 19 | | (2) a dactylectomy; |
|---|
| 20 | 20 | | (3) a phalangectomy; |
|---|
| 21 | 21 | | (4) a tendonectomy; |
|---|
| 22 | 22 | | (5) a procedure that removes a portion of the cat's paw |
|---|
| 23 | 23 | | or digit to remove the claw; or |
|---|
| 24 | 24 | | (6) a procedure that cuts or modifies the tendon of the |
|---|
| 25 | 25 | | cat's limb, paw, or digit to inhibit normal movement of the claw. |
|---|
| 26 | 26 | | (b) A procedure prohibited by Subsection (a) does not |
|---|
| 27 | 27 | | include nail filing, nail trimming, or the placement of temporary |
|---|
| 28 | 28 | | nail caps on a claw of a cat. |
|---|
| 29 | 29 | | (c) A person may perform a procedure described by Subsection |
|---|
| 30 | 30 | | (a) if: |
|---|
| 31 | 31 | | (1) the procedure: |
|---|
| 32 | 32 | | (A) addresses an existing or recurring |
|---|
| 33 | 33 | | infection, disease, injury, or abnormal condition in the cat's paw, |
|---|
| 34 | 34 | | nail bed, or toe bone that jeopardizes the cat's health; and |
|---|
| 35 | 35 | | (B) is medically necessary for the cat's health |
|---|
| 36 | 36 | | as documented by a licensed veterinarian; or |
|---|
| 37 | 37 | | (2) the procedure is performed to protect the life or |
|---|
| 38 | 38 | | health of a cat's owner, or a member of the owner's household, who |
|---|
| 39 | 39 | | has been diagnosed by a licensed physician as having an infection, |
|---|
| 40 | 40 | | disease, or similar condition that could reasonably be expected to |
|---|
| 41 | 41 | | worsen if the cat scratches the owner or household member. |
|---|
| 42 | 42 | | (d) A person who violates this section is subject to a civil |
|---|
| 43 | 43 | | penalty of $500 for each violation. The attorney general may bring |
|---|
| 44 | 44 | | an action to recover the civil penalty. |
|---|
| 45 | 45 | | SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |
|---|