HB662 - Relating to the adoption of cats and dogs previously used for research.

  89R2365 MCF-D     By: Flores H.B. No. 662       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the adoption of cats and dogs previously used for   research.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  This Act shall be known as the Research Animal   Retirement Act.          SECTION 2.  Title 10, Health and Safety Code, is amended by   adding Chapter 830 to read as follows:   CHAPTER 830. ADOPTION OF CERTAIN RETIRED RESEARCH ANIMALS           Sec. 830.001.  DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:                 (1)     "Animal rehoming organization" means a nonprofit   charitable organization established primarily to place rescued   animals in adoptive homes.                 (2)     "Animal shelter" means a facility operated by a   nonprofit charitable organization established primarily to shelter   and care for stray, homeless, abandoned, or unwanted animals and   place those animals in adoptive homes.                 (3)     "Executive commissioner" means the executive   commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission.                 (4)     "Research facility" means a research facility as   defined by the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. Section 2132(e)) that is   licensed by or registered with the United States Department of   Agriculture under that Act to conduct experiments on dogs or cats   for education, research, science, or testing purposes.                 (5)     "Retired animal" means a dog or cat a research   facility previously used in experiments conducted for education,   research, science, or testing purposes and no longer needed for   those purposes.           Sec.   830.002.     LIMITATION. This chapter does not apply to a   retired animal a research facility's attending veterinarian   identifies as:                 (1)  not suitable for rehoming; or                 (2)     having a substantial medical condition that   prevents the animal from successfully integrating into an adoptive   home.           Sec.   830.003.     ADOPTION OF RETIRED ANIMALS. (a) A research   facility, or its authorized employee or an authorized student of an   institution of higher education associated with the facility, on   retirement of a retired animal shall offer the animal for adoption:                 (1)     through an animal rehoming organization or animal   shelter; or                 (2)     by an individual through an arrangement between   the facility and individual.           (b)     A research facility may not offer any retired animal to   an animal rehoming organization or animal shelter unless the   facility has entered into a written agreement with the organization   or shelter addressing the transfer of the facility's retired   animals to the organization or shelter.           (c)     A research facility may establish guidelines for   determining whether:                 (1)  a retired animal is suitable for adoption; and                 (2)     an animal rehoming organization, animal shelter,   or individual is qualified to accept a retired animal for adoption.           (d)     A research facility must post on the facility's Internet   website any guidelines adopted under Subsection (c).           Sec.   830.004.     IMMUNITY FROM CIVIL LIABILITY. A research   facility that in good faith and in compliance with this chapter and   rules adopted under this chapter provides a research animal to an   animal rehoming organization, animal shelter, or individual is   immune from civil liability with respect to a claim based on:                 (1)     the facility's transfer of a retired animal to the   organization, shelter, or individual; or                 (2)     the adoption of a retired animal by an individual   through the organization or shelter.           Sec.   830.005.     RULES. The executive commissioner may adopt   rules necessary to implement this chapter.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.