Bill > HB495

This bill amends the Texas Business & Commerce Code to add a new provision to the definition of deceptive trade practices, specifically targeting dishonest practices in animal sales. The new provision makes it a deceptive trade practice for a seller to knowingly sell or offer an animal for sale while concealing the animal's existing illness, providing false or misleading health records, or misrepresenting health screenings that have been conducted. This means that if a seller is aware that an animal is sick but does not disclose this information to the buyer, or intentionally provides inaccurate documentation about the animal's health, they could be held legally accountable for engaging in a deceptive trade practice. The law will take effect on September 1, 2025, and will only apply to acts or practices occurring on or after that date, ensuring that sellers have clear notice of the new requirements and potential legal consequences for misleading animal sales.

Business and Industry

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB495