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AN ACT
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relating to the authority of a code enforcement officer performing |
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official duties to possess or carry an instrument used for |
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deterring an animal bite. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 46.15, Penal Code, is amended by adding |
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Subsection (h) to read as follows: |
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(h) The provisions of Sections 46.02 and 46.03 prohibiting |
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the possession or carrying of a club do not apply to a code |
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enforcement officer who: |
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(1) holds a certificate of registration issued under |
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Chapter 1952, Occupations Code; and |
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(2) possesses or carries an instrument used |
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specifically for deterring an animal bite while the officer is: |
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(A) performing official duties; or |
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(B) traveling to or from a place of duty. |
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SECTION 2. Section 1952.051, Occupations Code, is amended |
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by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows: |
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(c) The education requirements adopted under Subsection (b) |
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must include education regarding the principles and procedures to |
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be followed when possessing or carrying an instrument used |
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specifically for deterring an animal bite. |
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SECTION 3. Section 1952.1051, Occupations Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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Sec. 1952.1051. CONTINUING EDUCATION. The commission by |
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rule shall prescribe continuing education requirements for code |
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enforcement officers and code enforcement officers in training |
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that: |
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(1) establish the number of hours of continuing |
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education required for renewal of a certificate of registration; |
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(2) establish an approved curriculum that includes |
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material regarding changes in applicable law and the principles and |
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procedures to be followed when possessing or carrying an instrument |
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used specifically for deterring an animal bite; and |
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(3) provide that the approved curriculum may be taught |
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by suitable public agencies and by private entities approved by the |
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department. |
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SECTION 4. (a) As soon as practicable after the effective |
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date of this Act, the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation |
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shall adopt the rules necessary to implement Sections 1952.051 and |
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1952.1051, Occupations Code, as amended by this Act. |
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(b) A code enforcement officer shall complete the education |
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requirements described by Section 1952.051(c), Occupations Code, |
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as added by this Act, before the officer may possess or carry an |
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instrument used specifically for deterring an animal bite as |
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provided by Section 46.15(h), Penal Code, as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019. |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 2584 was passed by the House on May 7, |
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2019, by the following vote: Yeas 146, Nays 0, 2 present, not |
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voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B. |
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No. 2584 on May 24, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 121, Nays 19, |
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2 present, not voting. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 2584 was passed by the Senate, with |
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amendments, on May 22, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays |
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0. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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APPROVED: __________________ |
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Date |
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__________________ |
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Governor |