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.