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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to canine 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 licensed by the commission on |
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or after January 1, 2016, to complete a canine encounter training |
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program established by the commission under Section 1701.261. An |
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officer shall complete the program not later than the second |
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anniversary of the date the officer is licensed under this chapter |
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unless the officer completes the program as part of the officer's |
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basic training course. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter F, Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 1701.261 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 1701.261. CANINE ENCOUNTER TRAINING PROGRAM. (a) The |
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commission shall establish a statewide comprehensive education and |
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training program on canine encounters and canine behavior. The |
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training program must consist of at least four hours of classroom |
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instruction and practical training, developed and approved by the |
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commission, that addresses: |
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(1) handling canine-related calls, anticipating |
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unplanned encounters with canines, and using humane methods and |
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tools in handling canine encounters; |
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(2) recognizing and understanding canine behavior; |
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(3) state laws related to canines; |
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(4) canine conflict avoidance and de-escalation; |
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(5) use of force continuum principles in relation to |
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canines; |
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(6) using nonlethal methods, tools, and resources to |
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avoid and defend against a canine attack; and |
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(7) a general overview of encounters with other |
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animals. |
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(b) At least once every four 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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(c) Notwithstanding Sections 1701.253(l) and 1701.402(l), |
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an officer who has completed at least four hours of a canine |
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encounter training program is not required to complete the program |
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under this section. |
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SECTION 3. Section 1701.402, Occupations Code, is amended |
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by adding Subsection (l) to read as follows: |
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(l) As a requirement for an intermediate or advanced |
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proficiency certificate issued by the commission on or after |
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January 1, 2016, an officer must complete the canine encounter |
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training program established by the commission under Section |
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1701.261. |
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SECTION 4. Not later than January 1, 2016, the Texas |
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Commission on Law Enforcement shall establish the canine encounter |
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training program as required by Section 1701.261, Occupations Code, |
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as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |