Bill: HB 3840, 86(R) - 2019

Vote Recommendation

Vote Recommendation Economic Freedom Property Rights Personal Responsibility Limited Government Individual Liberty
No Neutral Neutral Negative Negative Negative

Author(s)

Giovanni Capriglione

Bill Caption

Relating to the regulation of individuals or business entities that provide or train assistance animals for veterans; providing a civil penalty.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

HB 3840 would establish a regulatory framework for the training of veteran assistance animals. 

The bill would establish a number of training requirements including that service animals for veterans must be trained one-on-one for at least 30 hours over a 90 day or longer period. In addition, the animal would be required to obtain a wellness verification from a veterinarian. The bill would also require the trainer to work with the veteran for at least 10 days and provide the veteran at least 30 hours of training with the assistance animal. 

HB 3840 requires service animals pass the American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Test or a substantially similar test, and the Assistance Dogs International Public Access Test or a substantially similar test. The bill would authorizes a civil penalty that would be capped at $500 per violation and, in the case of a continuing violation, $500 for each subsequent day the violation occurs. 

The bill would also stipulate that a business entity that sells an assistance animal to a person in violation of this chapter is liable to the person for the amount the person paid for the animal.

Vote Recommendation Notes

There is no question that this bill is motivated by good intentions. Good intentions notwithstanding, this bill is inconsistent with the principles of limited government, free markets, and individual liberty. The bill would not only place new regulations on people who train veteran assistance animals, it would likely make it more difficult for a veteran to obtain an assistance animal due to the required hours the veteran would have to spend in training with the animal and the fact that these regulations will likely make veteran assistance animals more expensive. We oppose HB 3840.

Source URL (retrieved on 03/28/2024 12:03 PM): http://reports.texasaction.com/bill/86r/hb3840?print_view=true