Tex.
Gov't Code Section 21.012
Presence of Qualified Facility Dog or Qualified Therapy Dog in Court Proceeding
(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:(1)
in-person testimony; or(2)
closed-circuit video teleconferencing testimony.(c)
The court may enter an order authorizing a qualified facility dog or qualified therapy dog to accompany a witness testifying at the court proceeding if:(1)
the presence of the dog will assist the witness in providing testimony; and(2)
the party petitioning for the order provides proof of liability insurance coverage in effect for the dog.(d)
A handler who is trained to manage the qualified facility dog or qualified therapy dog must accompany the dog provided for a witness at a court proceeding.(e)
A party to the action must petition the court for an order under Subsection (b) not later than the 14th day before the date of the court proceeding.(f)
A court may:(1)
impose restrictions on the presence of the qualified facility dog or qualified therapy dog during the court proceeding; and(2)
issue instructions to the jury, as applicable, regarding the presence of the dog.
Source:
Section 21.012 — Presence of Qualified Facility Dog or Qualified Therapy Dog in Court Proceeding, https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/GV/htm/GV.21.htm#21.012 (accessed Feb. 26, 2025).
