TITLE: Relating to regulations concerning certain service animals; providing a civil penalty.

SUMMARY: Relating to regulations concerning certain service animals; providing a civil penalty.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to regulations concerning certain service animals; providing a civil penalty. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subtitle C, Title 5, Business & Commerce Code, is amended by adding Chapter 106 to read as follows: CHAPTER 106. CERTAIN CHARGES OR SECURITY DEPOSITS FOR CANINE HANDLERS PROHIBITED Sec. 106.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: (1) "Canine unit" means a canine handler who is a peace officer or firefighter and a service canine trained to assist a peace officer or firefighter in the performance of the individual's official duties. (2) "Commercial lodging establishment" means a hotel, motel, inn, or similar entity that offers lodging to the public in exchange for compensation. (3) "Declared disaster" means: (A) a disaster declared by the president of the United States; (B) a state of disaster declared by the governor under Chapter 418, Government Code; or (C) a local state of disaster declared by the governing body of a political subdivision under Section 418.108, Government Code. (4) "Firefighter" means an individual who is defined as fire protection personnel under Section 419.021, Government Code. (5) "Mutual aid" has the meaning assigned by Section 418.004, Government Code. (6) "Peace officer" means a person elected, employed, or appointed as a peace officer under Article 2.12, Code of Criminal Procedure, or other law. (7) "Service canine" means a canine trained to assist in search and rescue or law enforcement activities. Sec. 106.002. CERTAIN CHARGES OR SECURITY DEPOSITS PROHIBITED. A commercial lodging establishment or restaurant may not require the payment of an extra fee or charge or a security deposit for a service canine that accompanies an individual to the establishment or restaurant if: (1) the individual is: (A) a peace officer or firefighter assigned to a canine unit; or (B) a handler of a search and rescue canine participating in a search and rescue operation under the authority or direction of a law enforcement agency or search and rescue agency; and (2) the individual is away from the individual's home jurisdiction while in the course and scope of duty because of: (A) a declared disaster; or (B) a mutual aid request or mutual aid training. Sec. 106.003. LIABILITY FOR PROPERTY DAMAGES. (a) Governmental immunity from suit and from liability is waived and the department or agency of a canine unit may be held liable to the owner or operator of a commercial lodging establishment or restaurant for any damages to the premises caused by the service canine. (b) The handler of a search and rescue canine is liable to the owner or operator of a commercial lodging establishment or restaurant for any damages to the premises caused by the service canine. Sec. 106.004. CIVIL PENALTY. The owner or operator of a commercial lodging establishment or restaurant that violates Section 106.002 is liable for a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $200 for each violation. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.