Bill Text: TX HB593 | 2015-2016 | 84th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: Relating to canine encounter training for peace officers.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2015-05-18 - Effective on 9/1/15 [HB593 Detail]
Download: Texas-2015-HB593-Enrolled.html
H.B. No. 593 |
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relating to canine encounter training for peace officers. | ||
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | ||
SECTION 1. Section 1701.253, Occupations Code, is amended | ||
by adding Subsection (l) to read as follows: | ||
(l) As part of the minimum curriculum requirements, the | ||
commission shall require an officer licensed by the commission on | ||
or after January 1, 2016, to complete a canine encounter training | ||
program established by the commission under Section 1701.261. An | ||
officer shall complete the program not later than the second | ||
anniversary of the date the officer is licensed under this chapter | ||
unless the officer completes the program as part of the officer's | ||
basic training course. | ||
SECTION 2. Subchapter F, Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, is | ||
amended by adding Section 1701.261 to read as follows: | ||
Sec. 1701.261. CANINE ENCOUNTER TRAINING PROGRAM. (a) The | ||
commission shall establish a statewide comprehensive education and | ||
training program on canine encounters and canine behavior. The | ||
training program must consist of at least four hours of classroom | ||
instruction and practical training, developed and approved by the | ||
commission, that addresses: | ||
(1) handling canine-related calls, anticipating | ||
unplanned encounters with canines, and using humane methods and | ||
tools in handling canine encounters; | ||
(2) recognizing and understanding canine behavior; | ||
(3) state laws related to canines; | ||
(4) canine conflict avoidance and de-escalation; | ||
(5) use of force continuum principles in relation to | ||
canines; | ||
(6) using nonlethal methods, tools, and resources to | ||
avoid and defend against a canine attack; and | ||
(7) a general overview of encounters with other | ||
animals. | ||
(b) At least once every four years, the commission shall | ||
review the content of the training program under this section and | ||
update the program as necessary. | ||
(c) Notwithstanding Sections 1701.253(l) and 1701.402(l), | ||
an officer who has completed at least four hours of a canine | ||
encounter training program is not required to complete the program | ||
under this section. | ||
SECTION 3. Section 1701.402, Occupations Code, is amended | ||
by adding Subsection (l) to read as follows: | ||
(l) As a requirement for an intermediate or advanced | ||
proficiency certificate issued by the commission on or after | ||
January 1, 2016, an officer must complete the canine encounter | ||
training program established by the commission under Section | ||
1701.261. | ||
SECTION 4. Not later than January 1, 2016, the Texas | ||
Commission on Law Enforcement shall establish the canine encounter | ||
training program as required by Section 1701.261, Occupations Code, | ||
as added by this Act. | ||
SECTION 5. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, | ||
an officer employed by a county with a population of less than | ||
125,000 is not required to comply with Sections 1701.253(l) and | ||
1701.402(l), Occupations Code, as added by this Act, before January | ||
1, 2017. | ||
SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015. | ||
______________________________ | ______________________________ | |
President of the Senate | Speaker of the House | |
I certify that H.B. No. 593 was passed by the House on April | ||
20, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 132, Nays 12, 1 present, not | ||
voting. | ||
______________________________ | ||
Chief Clerk of the House | ||
I certify that H.B. No. 593 was passed by the Senate on May 4, | ||
2015, by the following vote: Yeas 28, Nays 3. | ||
______________________________ | ||
Secretary of the Senate | ||
APPROVED: _____________________ | ||
Date | ||
_____________________ | ||
Governor |