79R5610 MSE-D

By:  Bonnen                                                       H.B. No. 1505



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to developing and administering an animal control officer 
training program.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Title 10, Health and Safety Code, is amended by 
adding Chapter 829 to read as follows:

CHAPTER 829.  ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS
	Sec. 829.001.  DEFINITIONS.  In this chapter:                           
		(1)  "Animal control" means the enforcement of state 
and local laws relating to prevention of animal and human rabies 
episodes, prevention of zoonotic diseases, protection of community 
health and safety in relation to animals, and other animal-related 
problems.
		(2)  "Animal control officer" means an officer or 
employee of this state or of a political subdivision of this state 
who has responsibility for animal control.
		(3)  "Department" means the Department of State Health 
Services.     
		(4)  "Executive commissioner" means the executive 
commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission.
	Sec. 829.002.  ANIMAL CONTROL TRAINING PROGRAM.  (a)  The 
department shall work with the Commission on Law Enforcement 
Officer Standards and Education and the Parks and Wildlife 
Department to develop and administer a voluntary training program 
for animal control officers.  The training program must include 
basic coverage of the following legal topics relevant to the 
performance of an animal control officer's duties:
		(1)  criminal procedure, including general duties of 
officers, search and seizure, and crime victims' rights;
		(2)  offenses against persons and property;                            
		(3)  health and safety of animals; and                                 
		(4)  violations of the Parks and Wildlife Code.                        
	(b)  The department shall administer the animal control 
officer training program.
	(c)  The executive commissioner by rule shall establish fees 
in amounts reasonable and necessary to cover the costs of 
administering the training program.
	(d)  An animal control officer training program developed 
under this section is not intended to replace an existing program 
administered by the department.  The department may incorporate 
aspects of an existing animal control officer training program into 
a program developed under this section.
	SECTION 2.  The Department of State Health Services shall 
develop an animal control officer training program as required by 
Section 829.002, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act, not 
later than March 1, 2006.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.