85R5441 MM-F
 
  By: Phelan H.B. No. 3229
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the use of an assistance animal that provides
  assistance to a person with a disability; providing a criminal
  penalty.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 121.002, Human Resources Code, is
  amended by amending Subdivision (1) and adding Subdivision (5-a) to
  read as follows:
               (1)  "Assistance animal" means an animal that works,
  provides assistance, or performs tasks for the benefit of a person
  with a disability or that provides to a person with a disability
  emotional support that alleviates one or more medically identified
  symptoms or effects of the person's disability.  The term includes a
  service animal [and "service animal" mean a canine that is
  specially trained or equipped to help a person with a disability and
  that     is used by a person with a disability].
               (5-a)  "Service animal" means a canine that is
  specially trained or equipped to do work or perform tasks for a
  person with a disability and that is used by a person with a
  disability.
         SECTION 2.  Section 121.003(h), Human Resources Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (h)  A person with a total or partial disability who has or
  obtains an assistance [a service] animal is entitled to full and
  equal access to all housing accommodations provided for in this
  section, and may not be required to pay extra compensation or make a
  deposit for the animal but is liable for damages done to the
  premises by the animal except for reasonable wear and tear.
         SECTION 3.  Section 121.006(a), Human Resources Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  A person who uses a canine [service animal] with a
  harness or leash of the type commonly used by persons with
  disabilities who use trained animals[,] in order to represent that
  the canine [his or her animal] is a specially trained service animal
  when training has not in fact been provided, or who misrepresents
  the disability-related need for an assistance animal to a landlord
  or a landlord's agent or employee, is guilty of a misdemeanor and on
  conviction shall be punished by:
               (1)  a fine of not more than $300; and
               (2)  30 hours of community service to be performed for a
  governmental entity or nonprofit organization that primarily
  serves persons with visual impairments or other disabilities, or
  for another entity or organization at the discretion of the court,
  to be completed in not more than one year.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.