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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to conditions of community supervision for defendants |
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convicted of certain criminal offenses involving animals. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Articles 42A.511(a) and (b), Code of Criminal |
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Procedure, are amended to read as follows: |
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(a) If a judge grants community supervision to a defendant |
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convicted of an offense under Section 42.09, 42.091, 42.092, or |
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42.10, Penal Code, the judge may require the defendant to: |
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(1) complete an online responsible pet owner course |
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that is at least two hours in duration [approved and certified by |
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the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation]; or |
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(2) complete [attend] a responsible pet owner course |
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sponsored by a municipal animal shelter, as defined by Section |
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823.001, Health and Safety Code, that: |
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(A) receives federal, state, county, or |
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municipal funds; and |
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(B) serves the county in which the court is |
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located. |
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(b) An [For purposes of the] online responsible pet owner |
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course described by Subsection (a)(1) must include information |
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regarding [, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation or |
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the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation, as appropriate]: |
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(1) federal and state laws that protect livestock |
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animals, nonlivestock animals, and wildlife, including: |
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(A) animal cruelty laws; |
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(B) dogfighting laws; and |
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(C) laws prohibiting attacks on assistance |
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animals; |
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(2) responsible care for animals, including spaying, |
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neutering, and tethering animals, and generally providing for the |
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health, safety, and welfare of livestock animals, nonlivestock |
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animals, and wildlife; |
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(3) animal bite prevention; and |
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(4) laws governing dog and cat breeders under Chapter |
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802, Occupations Code [is responsible for the approval, |
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certification, and administration of the course and course |
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providers; |
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[(2) may charge fees for: |
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[(A) initial and renewal course certifications; |
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[(B) initial and renewal course provider |
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certifications; |
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[(C) course participant completion certificates; |
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and |
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[(D) other fees necessary for the administration |
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of the course and course providers; |
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[(3) shall adopt rules regarding the administration of |
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the course and course providers, including rules regarding: |
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[(A) the criteria for course approval and |
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certification; |
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[(B) the criteria for course provider approval |
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and certification; |
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[(C) curriculum development; |
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[(D) course length and content; |
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[(E) criteria for a participant to complete the |
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course; and |
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[(F) a course completion certificate that is |
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acceptable to a court; |
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[(4) is authorized to monitor and audit the provision |
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of the course by the course providers; and |
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[(5) may take enforcement actions as appropriate to |
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enforce this subsection]. |
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SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies to a |
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defendant placed on community supervision on or after the effective |
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date of this Act, regardless of whether the offense for which the |
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defendant was placed on community supervision was committed before, |
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on, or after the effective date of this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |