The bill, S.B. No. 2969, introduces a new criminal offense of trespassing in facilities that house animals, such as zoos, and establishes penalties for such actions. Under the newly added Section 30.08 of the Penal Code, a person commits an offense if they enter an area where animals are housed or exhibited without legal authority and engage in actions that harass the animals, which is defined as demonstrating disregard for their well-being or disrupting their normal behavior. The offense is classified as a state jail felony, escalating to a third-degree felony if the animal suffers injury or death due to the harassment.

Additionally, the bill mandates that individuals convicted of this offense must make restitution to the facility for any damages incurred, including costs related to the injury or death of the animal, as specified in the amended Article 42.037 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

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