5306499 Resolution 20-735, Classroom Animal for Educational Purposes Clarification Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2014

A RESOLUTION

                                                        

20-735

 

IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

 

December 17, 2014         

 

                                                                                                                                             

To declare the existence of a second emergency with respect to the need to amend the Animal Control Act of 1979 to clarify that animals at educational institutions are permitted for educational and instructional purposes.

 

            RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this resolution may be cited as the "Classroom Animal for Educational Purposes Clarification Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2014".

           

            Sec. 2. (a) There is an immediate need to amendsection 9(h) of the Animal Control Act of 1979, effective October 18, 1979 (D.C. Law 3-30; D.C. Official Code § 8-1808(h)), to make clear that animals at educational institutions are permitted for educational and instructional purposes.

(b) The Department of Health has previously notified schools across the District that they must remove animals – such as geckos, frogs, toads, tadpoles, and other species historically used for instructional purposes but not specifically cited in section 9 of the Animal Control Act of 1979 – or the District will seize and destroy them.

(c) This interpretation has caused concern among educators and school administrators and potentially disrupts the teaching and learning opportunities for students.

(d) This second emergency action will prevent classroom and instructional animals from being removed and ensure that the schools can continue teaching sciences and biology with living creatures that are treated and maintained humanely and safely.

(e) This second emergency action is necessary to prevent a gap in the law as the temporary legislation, the Classroom Animal for Educational Purposes Clarification Temporary Amendment Act of 2014, effective May 20, 2014 (D.C. Law 20-104; 61 DCR 5676), expires on December 29, 2014.  The permanent measure will not be marked up until the next Council period.

 

            Sec. 3. The Council of the District of Columbia determines that the circumstances

enumerated in section 2 constitute emergency circumstances making it necessary that the

Classroom Animal for Educational Purposes Clarification Second Emergency Amendment Act of 2014 be adopted after a single reading.

 

            Sec. 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately.