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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to animal encounter training for peace officers. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 1701.253, Occupations Code, is amended |
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by adding Subsection (l) to read as follows: |
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(l) As part of the minimum curriculum requirements, the |
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commission shall require an officer to complete an animal encounter |
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training program established by the commission under Section |
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1701.2531. An officer shall complete the program not later than |
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the second anniversary of the date the officer is licensed under |
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this chapter or the date the officer applies for an intermediate |
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proficiency certificate, whichever date is earlier. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter F, Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 1701.2531 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 1701.2531. ANIMAL ENCOUNTER TRAINING PROGRAM. (a) |
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The commission shall establish a statewide comprehensive education |
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and training program on animal encounters and animal behavior. The |
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training program must consist of at least eight hours of classroom |
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instruction and practical training, and may include the use of live |
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animals in: |
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(1) handling animal-related calls or unplanned |
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encounters with animals, with an emphasis on canine-related |
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incidents and the use of nonlethal methods and tools in handling an |
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encounter; |
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(2) identifying and understanding animal behavior; |
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(3) laws and ordinances related to animals; |
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(4) avoiding an animal attack; and |
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(5) using nonlethal methods to defend against an |
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animal attack. |
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(b) The training program may not be provided as an online |
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course. |
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(c) At least once every three years, the commission shall |
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review the content of the training program under this section and |
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update the program as necessary. |
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SECTION 3. Section 1701.352, Occupations Code, is amended |
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by adding Subsection (b-1) to read as follows: |
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(b-1) The commission shall require each officer to complete |
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the animal encounter training program established by the commission |
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under Section 1701.2531 at least once every 36 months. |
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SECTION 4. Section 1701.402, Occupations Code, is amended |
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by adding Subsection (k) to read as follows: |
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(k) As a requirement for an intermediate proficiency |
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certificate, an officer must complete the animal encounter training |
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program established by the commission under Section 1701.2531. |
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SECTION 5. Not later than January 1, 2014, the Commission on |
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Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education shall establish the |
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animal encounter training program as required by Section 1701.2531, |
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Occupations Code, as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |