5389143 Resolution 21-21, Classroom Animal for Educational Purposes Clarification Congressional Review Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2015

A RESOLUTION

 

21-21

 

IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

 

March 3, 2015

                                                                                                                                             

 

To declare the existence of an emergency, due to congressional review, 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 Congressional Review Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2015".

           

            Sec. 2. (a) There is an immediate need to amend section 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 bill 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 bill is necessary to prevent a gap in the law as the emergency legislation, the Classroom Animal for Educational Purposes Clarification Second Emergency Amendment Act of 2014, effective January 13, 2015 (D.C. Act 20-0578; 62 DCR 1256), expires on April 13, 2015. 

(f) Temporary legislation, the Classroom Animal for Educational Purposes Clarification Second Temporary Amendment Act of 2014, enacted  on February 5, 2015 (D.C. Act 20-0625; 62 DCR 2257), was transmitted to Congress for the 30-day review period required by section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code § 1-206.02(c)(1)). 

(g) The temporary legislation may not become law until after the expiration of the emergency legislation; therefore, a congressional review emergency is needed to prevent a gap in the law.

 

            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 Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2015 be adopted after a single reading.

 

            Sec. 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately.