85R12291 KJE-D By: West S.B. No. 1930 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the adoption of cats and dogs previously used for research at public institutions of higher education. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 51.956 to read as follows: Sec. 51.956. ADOPTION OF RETIRED RESEARCH ANIMALS. (a) In this section: (1) "Animal rescue organization" means an organization established primarily to rescue animals and offer the animals for adoption. (2) "Animal shelter" means a facility that is operated by an organization and established primarily to shelter and care for stray or abandoned animals and offer those animals for adoption. (3) "Institution of higher education" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003. (4) "Retired research animal" means a cat or dog that an institution of higher education used in experiments conducted for education, research, science, or testing purposes and no longer needs for those purposes. (b) An institution of higher education shall assess the health of a retired research animal on its retirement to determine whether the animal has a substantial medical condition that prevents the animal from successfully integrating into an adoptive home. If the animal does not have such a condition, the institution shall offer the animal for adoption: (1) through an animal rescue organization or animal shelter; or (2) by an individual through an arrangement between the institution and individual. (c) An institution of higher education may enter into a written agreement with an animal rescue organization or animal shelter that: (1) provides for a veterinarian employed by the organization or shelter to perform the health assessment of the institution's retired research animals as required under Subsection (b); or (2) addresses the transfer of the institution's retired research animals to the organization or shelter. (d) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board may adopt rules necessary to implement this section. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.