S.B. No. 1010
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to access to certain facilities by search and rescue dogs
  and their handlers; providing a criminal penalty.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subtitle B, Title 9, Health and Safety Code, is
  amended by adding Chapter 785 to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 785.  SEARCH AND RESCUE DOGS
         Sec. 785.001.  DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
               (1)  "Handler" means a person who handles a search and
  rescue dog and who is certified by the National Association for
  Search and Rescue or another state or nationally recognized search
  and rescue agency.
               (2)  "Housing accommodations" has the meaning assigned
  by Section 121.002(3), Human Resources Code.
               (3)  "Public facility" means a facility described by
  Section 121.002(5), Human Resources Code.
               (4)  "Search and rescue dog" means a canine that is
  trained or being trained to assist a nationally recognized search
  and rescue agency in search and rescue activities.
         Sec. 785.002.  DISCRIMINATION PROHIBITED. (a)  The owner,
  manager, or operator of a public facility, or an employee or other
  agent of the owner, manager, or operator, may not deny a search and
  rescue dog admittance to the facility.
         (b)  The owner, manager, or operator of a public facility, or
  an employee or other agent of the owner, manager, or operator, may
  not deny a search and rescue dog's handler admittance to the
  facility because of the presence of the handler's search and rescue
  dog.
         (c)  The owner, manager, or operator of a common carrier,
  airplane, railroad train, motor bus, streetcar, boat, or other
  public conveyance or mode of transportation operating within this
  state, or an employee or other agent of the owner, manager, or
  operator, may not:
               (1)  refuse to accept as a passenger a search and rescue
  dog or the dog's handler; or
               (2)  require the dog's handler to pay an additional fare
  because of the search and rescue dog.
         (d)  The discrimination prohibited by this section includes:
               (1)  refusing to allow a search and rescue dog or the
  dog's handler to use or be admitted to a public facility;
               (2)  a ruse or subterfuge calculated to prevent or
  discourage a search and rescue dog or the dog's handler from using
  or being admitted to a public facility; and
               (3)  failing to make a reasonable accommodation in a
  policy, practice, or procedure to allow a search and rescue dog or
  the dog's handler to be admitted to a public facility.
         (e)  A policy relating to the use of a public facility by a
  designated class of persons from the general public may not
  prohibit the use of the particular public facility by a search and
  rescue dog or the dog's handler.
         (f)  A search and rescue dog's handler is entitled to full
  and equal access, in the same manner as other members of the general
  public, to all housing accommodations offered for rent, lease, or
  compensation in this state, subject to any condition or limitation
  established by law that applies to all persons, except that the
  handler may not be required to pay an extra fee or charge or
  security deposit for the search and rescue dog.
         Sec. 785.003.  PENALTY FOR DISCRIMINATION. (a)  A person
  who violates Section 785.002 commits an offense. An offense under
  this subsection is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less
  than $300 or more than $1,000.
         (b)  It is a defense to prosecution under Subsection (a) that
  the actor requested the search and rescue dog handler's credentials
  under Section 785.005 and the handler failed to provide the actor
  with the credentials.
         Sec. 785.004.  RESPONSIBILITIES OF HANDLERS; CIVIL
  LIABILITY. (a)  A handler who accompanies a search and rescue dog
  shall keep the dog properly harnessed or leashed. A person may
  maintain a cause of action against a dog's handler for personal
  injury, property damage, or death resulting from the failure of the
  dog's handler to properly harness or leash the dog under the same
  law applicable to other causes brought for the redress of injuries
  caused by animals.
         (b)  The handler of a search and rescue dog is liable for any
  property damage caused by the search and rescue dog to a public
  facility or to housing accommodations.
         (c)  A governmental unit, as defined by Section 101.001,
  Civil Practice and Remedies Code, is subject to liability under
  this section only as provided by Chapter 101, Civil Practice and
  Remedies Code.  A public servant, as defined by Section 108.001,
  Civil Practice and Remedies Code, is subject to liability under
  this section only as provided by Chapter 108, Civil Practice and
  Remedies Code.
         Sec. 785.005.  CANINE HANDLER CREDENTIALS. A person may ask
  a search and rescue dog handler to display proof that the handler is
  a person with a certification issued by the National Association
  for Search and Rescue or another state or nationally recognized
  search and rescue agency.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.
 
 
 
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1010 passed the Senate on
  May 2, 2013, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1010 passed the House on
  May 17, 2013, by the following vote:  Yeas 129, Nays 5, two
  present not voting.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
 
  Approved:
 
  ______________________________ 
              Date
 
 
  ______________________________ 
            Governor