84R4386 TSR-F
 
  By: Collier H.B. No. 593
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to animal 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 to complete an animal 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 or the date the officer applies for an intermediate
  proficiency certificate, whichever date is earlier.  The training
  program required under this subsection may not be provided as an
  online course.
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter F, Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, is
  amended by adding Section 1701.261 to read as follows:
         Sec. 1701.261.  ANIMAL ENCOUNTER TRAINING PROGRAM. (a) The
  commission shall establish a statewide comprehensive education and
  training program on animal encounters and animal behavior. The
  training program must consist of at least eight hours of classroom
  instruction and practical training and may include the use of live
  animals in:
               (1)  handling animal-related calls or unplanned
  encounters with animals, with an emphasis on canine-related
  incidents and the use of nonlethal methods and tools in handling an
  encounter;
               (2)  identifying and understanding animal behavior;
               (3)  laws and ordinances related to animals;
               (4)  avoiding an animal attack; and
               (5)  using nonlethal methods to defend against an
  animal attack.
         (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)  Except as provided by Section 1701.352(b-1), an officer
  who completes the training program established under this section
  is not required to retake the program.
         SECTION 3.  Section 1701.352, Occupations Code, is amended
  by adding Subsection (b-1) to read as follows:
         (b-1)  The commission shall require each officer to complete
  the animal encounter training program established by the commission
  under Section 1701.261 at least once every 48 months.  The training
  program required under this subsection may be provided as an online
  continuing education course.
         SECTION 4.  Section 1701.402, Occupations Code, is amended
  by adding Subsection (l) to read as follows:
         (l)  As a requirement for an intermediate proficiency
  certificate, an officer must complete the animal encounter training
  program established by the commission under Section 1701.261.  The
  training program required under this subsection may not be provided
  as an online course.
         SECTION 5.  Not later than January 1, 2016, the Texas
  Commission on Law Enforcement shall establish the animal encounter
  training program as required by Section 1701.261, Occupations Code,
  as added by this Act.
         SECTION 6.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.