HB 352 -- Animal Research and Production Facilities

Co-Sponsors:  Guest, Dethrow, Townley, Shoemaker (8), Whorton,
Myers, Sander, Hobbs

This bill prohibits any person from photographing, videotaping,
or otherwise obtaining images from a location within an animal
facility that is not legally accessible to the public without the
express written consent of the animal facility.  Persons who
violate this portion of the bill are guilty of a class D felony.

The bill also prohibits any person from intentionally releasing
in any animal facility any pathogen or disease that has the
potential to cause disease in any animal or threatens human
health or biosecurity.  Persons who violate this portion of the
bill are guilty of a class B felony.

The definition of an animal facility is expanded to include
barns, buildings, or other structures which are part of any
animal farming operation, business, or organization engaged in
legal scientific research or agricultural production.

The Director of the Department of Agriculture is given the
authority to initiate a civil action in the circuit court of the
county in which a violation of the provisions of the bill
occurred.

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated July 25, 2003 at 10:11 am