Bill > HB1720

This bill creates a new criminal offense of trespass in facilities housing animals, such as zoos, which aims to protect animals in public exhibition spaces. The law defines "harass" as any act that shows disregard for an animal's well-being or disrupts its normal behavior patterns. A person commits an offense if they enter a cage, enclosure, or animal housing area without legal permission or authority. The offense is classified as a state jail felony, but can be elevated to a third-degree felony if the person harasses the animal and the animal suffers injury or death. The bill provides a defense if the person enters the area to aid another person or animal, and explicitly states that inadequate facility security or the necessity of injury to protect oneself are not valid defenses. Additionally, the bill mandates that if a person is convicted of this offense, they must pay restitution to the facility for any damages, including costs associated with animal injury or death. The law is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, giving facilities and law enforcement time to prepare for its implementation.

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https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB1720