2013 House Bill 5061

Mandate criminal background check to adopt a pet

Introduced in the House

Oct. 8, 2013

Introduced by Rep. Harvey Santana (D-9)

To mandate that animal shelters must check a government criminal records database before letting person adopt an animal, and prohibit adoptions the records show a person committed an animal cruelty offense in the past five years.

Referred to the Committee on Criminal Justice

Jan. 22, 2014

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the bill be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Referred to the Committee on Judiciary

Feb. 6, 2014

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-2) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

June 11, 2014

Amendment offered by Rep. Harvey Santana (D-9)

To remove a provision requiring enactment of two related bills, Senate Bill 603 and House Bill 4534, for this bill to become law.

The amendment passed by voice vote

June 12, 2014

Passed in the House 89 to 21 (details)

To prohibit animal shelters from allowing a person to adopt an animal if the background check mandated by House Bill 4534 showed the person had committed an animal abuse offense in the past five years.

Received in the Senate

July 16, 2014

Referred to the Committee on Judiciary

Oct. 1, 2014

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the bill pass.