HB 1720
AN ACT relating to the creation of the criminal offense of trespass in a
89th Regular Session
Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended
Awaiting Committee Assignment
Bill filed, pending referral to House committee
Committee
Not yet assigned
Fiscal Note
Not available
What This Bill Does
This Texas bill creates a new criminal offense of trespassing in animal facilities like zoos, making it a state jail felony. If a person enters an animal enclosure without authorization and harasses the animal, causing injury or death, the offense becomes a third-degree felony. The bill requires convicted offenders to pay restitution for any damage, loss, or destruction caused during the trespass, protecting animal facilities and their inhabitants.
Subject Areas
Bill Text
relating to the creation of the criminal offense of trespass in a facility housing an animal and to restitution for property damage BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 30, Penal Code, is amended by adding Section 30.08 to read as follows: Sec. 30.08. TRESPASS IN FACILITY HOUSING AN ANIMAL. (a) In this section, "harass" means to engage in any act that: (1) demonstrates a disregard for the well-being of an (2) disrupts the normal behavior patterns of an animal, including disrupting the animal's feeding, watering, (b) A person commits an offense if the person enters an indoor or outdoor facility housing an animal that is operated for the purpose of public visitation, conservation, education, or science, including a zoo, and the person: (1) enters a cage, enclosure, or other area where an animal is exhibited or housed; and (2) knows the person has no legal authority, license, (c) An offense under this section is a state jail felony, except that the offense is a felony of the third degree if it is shown on the trial of the offense that: (1) the actor harassed the animal; and (2) the animal suffered injury or death. (d) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that the person entered the cage, enclosure, or other area to aid another person or an animal located in the cage, enclosure, or other area. (e) It is not a defense to prosecution under this section (1) entry to the cage, enclosure, or other area where the animal was exhibited or housed was not sufficiently guarded, locked, or made otherwise inaccessible; or (2) injury to the animal was necessary to protect the SECTION 2. Article 42.037, Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended by adding Subsection (y) to read as follows: (y) If a defendant is convicted of an offense under Section 30.08, Penal Code, the court shall order the defendant to make restitution to the facility for the cost of any damage, loss, or destruction as a result of the offense, including the injury or SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
Bill Sponsors
Legislators who authored or co-sponsored this bill.
Expert Lobbyists for This Bill
These lobbyists specialize in Animals and related subject areas.
Robert D. Miller
Haley Cornyn
Allen E. Blakemore
Michael J. Johnson
Vera Denise Rose
Gavin L. Massingill
W. Corbin Casteel
Matthew Bentley
Allison Billodeau
Daniel Hodge
Bill History
Bill filed: AN ACT relating to the creation of the criminal offense of trespass in a
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