Texas Government Code

§ 21.012 — PRESENCE OF QUALIFIED FACILITY DOG OR QUALIFIED THERAPY DOG IN COURT PROCEEDING

GV § 21.012Title 2. JUDICIAL BRANCH · Part A. COURTS · Ch. 21. GENERAL PROVISIONS

Statute text

(a)In this section:

(1)"Qualified facility dog" means a dog that:

(A)is a graduate of a program operated by an assistance dog organization that is a member of a nationally recognized assistance dog association; or

(B)before January 1, 2021, on the approval of the court, served in a court proceeding by accompanying a witness who was testifying.

(2)"Qualified therapy dog" means a dog that successfully completes a program operated by an organization that registers, insures, or certifies a therapy dog and the dog's handler as meeting or exceeding the standards of practice in animal-assisted interventions.

(b)Any party to an action filed in a court in this state in which a proceeding related to the action will be held may petition the court for an order authorizing a qualified facility dog or qualified therapy dog to be present with a witness who is testifying before the court through:

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Legislative history

Added by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 204 (H.B. 1071), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2021.