Texas Bat Protection Law
AN
ACT relating to the protection of bats; providing a penalty.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE
LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 63, Parks and Wildlife Code, is amended by
adding Section 63.101 to read as follows:
Sec. 63.101. PROTECTION OF BATS.
(a) Except as provided by Subsections (b) and (c), no person may:
(1) hunt a bat; or
(2) sell, offer for sale, purchase, offer to purchase, or possess after
purchase a bat or any part of a bat, dead or alive.
(b) A bat may be removed or hunted if the bat is inside or on a building
occupied by people.
(c) This section does not apply to:
(1) an animal control officer, a peace officer, or a health official who
captures a bat that the officer or official considers injured or diseased;
(2) a person who transports a bat for the purpose of laboratory testing if the
bat has exposed or potentially exposed humans or domestic animals to rabies; or
(3) a person who is licensed to provide pest control services.
SECTION 2. Subsection (c), Section 63.104, Parks and
Wildlife Code, is amended to read as follows:
(c) A person who violates Section 63.002 or 63.101 of this code commits an
offense that is a Class C Parks and Wildlife Code misdemeanor.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect