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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to equipping each K-9 law enforcement vehicle with a heat |
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alarm system. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 821, Health and Safety |
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Code, is amended by adding Section 821.005 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 821.005. HEAT ALARM SYSTEM IN K-9 LAW ENFORCEMENT |
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VEHICLES. (a) In this section, "law enforcement agency" means: |
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(1) the Department of Public Safety; |
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(2) the sheriff's department of a county; or |
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(3) the police department of a municipality. |
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(b) A law enforcement agency shall equip each vehicle used |
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in a K-9 law enforcement program with a heat alarm system that is |
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activated when the vehicle stops running or the temperature in the |
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vehicle's interior becomes dangerous to a police dog in the |
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vehicle. The system when activated must: |
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(1) activate an audible alarm; |
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(2) automatically lower the vehicle's rear windows; |
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and |
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(3) page the K-9 law enforcement officer. |
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(c) A law enforcement agency that implements a K-9 law |
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enforcement program must comply with this section not later than |
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one year after the date the program begins operation. |
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(d) This section does not apply to an open-air vehicle used |
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in connection with a K-9 law enforcement program. |
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SECTION 2. A law enforcement agency required to equip a |
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vehicle with a heat alarm system as required by Section 821.005, |
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Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act, is not required to |
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comply with that section before January 1, 2011. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |