Bill Text: TX HB162 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Engrossed

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Relating to conditions of community supervision for defendants convicted of certain criminal offenses involving animals; authorizing fees.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Passed) 2017-06-15 - Effective on 9/1/17 [HB162 Detail]

Download: Texas-2017-HB162-Engrossed.html

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85R22711 LHC-D
By: Lucio III H.B. No. 162

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to conditions of community supervision for defendants
convicted of certain criminal offenses involving animals;
authorizing fees.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Article 42A.511, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
amended to read as follows:
Art. 42A.511. COMMUNITY SUPERVISION FOR CERTAIN OFFENSES
INVOLVING ANIMALS. (a) If a judge grants community supervision to
a defendant convicted of an offense under Section 42.09, 42.091,
42.092, or 42.10, Penal Code, the judge may require the defendant
to:
(1) complete an online responsible pet owner course
approved and certified by the Texas Department of Licensing and
Regulation; or
(2) attend a responsible pet owner course sponsored by
a municipal animal shelter, as defined by Section 823.001, Health
and Safety Code, that:
(A) [(1)] receives federal, state, county, or
municipal funds; and
(B) [(2)] serves the county in which the court is
located.
(b) For purposes of the online responsible pet owner course
described by Subsection (a)(1), the Texas Department of Licensing
and Regulation or the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation,
as appropriate:
(1) is responsible for the approval, certification,
and administration of the course and course providers;
(2) may charge fees for:
(A) initial and renewal course certifications;
(B) initial and renewal course provider
certifications;
(C) course participant completion certificates;
and
(D) other fees necessary for the administration
of the course and course providers;
(3) shall adopt rules regarding the administration of
the course and course providers, including rules regarding:
(A) the criteria for course approval and
certification;
(B) the criteria for course provider approval and
certification;
(C) curriculum development;
(D) course length and content;
(E) criteria for a participant to complete the
course; and
(F) a course completion certificate that is
acceptable to a court;
(4) is authorized to monitor and audit the provision
of the course by the course providers; and
(5) may take enforcement actions as appropriate to
enforce this subsection.
SECTION 2. Not later than March 1, 2018, the Texas
Department of Licensing and Regulation or the Texas Commission of
Licensing and Regulation, as appropriate, shall adopt rules to
implement Article 42A.511, Code of Criminal Procedure, as amended
by this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.