Bill Text: TX HB162 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Enrolled


Bill Title: Relating to conditions of community supervision for defendants convicted of certain criminal offenses involving animals; authorizing fees.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Passed) 2017-06-15 - Effective on 9/1/17 [HB162 Detail]

Download: Texas-2017-HB162-Enrolled.html
 
 
  H.B. No. 162
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to conditions of community supervision for defendants
  convicted of certain criminal offenses involving animals;
  authorizing fees.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Article 42A.511, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Art. 42A.511.  COMMUNITY SUPERVISION FOR CERTAIN OFFENSES
  INVOLVING ANIMALS. (a) If a judge grants community supervision to
  a defendant convicted of an offense under Section 42.09, 42.091,
  42.092, or 42.10, Penal Code, the judge may require the defendant
  to:
               (1)  complete an online responsible pet owner course
  approved and certified by the Texas Department of Licensing and
  Regulation; or
               (2)  attend a responsible pet owner course sponsored by
  a municipal animal shelter, as defined by Section 823.001, Health
  and Safety Code, that:
                     (A) [(1)]  receives federal, state, county, or
  municipal funds; and
                     (B) [(2)]  serves the county in which the court is
  located.
         (b)  For purposes of the online responsible pet owner course
  described by Subsection (a)(1), the Texas Department of Licensing
  and Regulation or the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation,
  as appropriate:
               (1)  is responsible for the approval, certification,
  and administration of the course and course providers;
               (2)  may charge fees for:
                     (A)  initial and renewal course certifications;
                     (B)  initial and renewal course provider
  certifications;
                     (C)  course participant completion certificates;
  and
                     (D)  other fees necessary for the administration
  of the course and course providers;
               (3)  shall adopt rules regarding the administration of
  the course and course providers, including rules regarding:
                     (A)  the criteria for course approval and
  certification;
                     (B)  the criteria for course provider approval and
  certification;
                     (C)  curriculum development;
                     (D)  course length and content;
                     (E)  criteria for a participant to complete the
  course; and
                     (F)  a course completion certificate that is
  acceptable to a court;
               (4)  is authorized to monitor and audit the provision
  of the course by the course providers; and
               (5)  may take enforcement actions as appropriate to
  enforce this subsection.
         SECTION 2.  Not later than March 1, 2018, the Texas
  Department of Licensing and Regulation or the Texas Commission of
  Licensing and Regulation, as appropriate, shall adopt rules to
  implement Article 42A.511, Code of Criminal Procedure, as amended
  by this Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 162 was passed by the House on May 11,
  2017, by the following vote:  Yeas 127, Nays 18, 2 present, not
  voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 162 was passed by the Senate on May
  24, 2017, by the following vote:  Yeas 29, Nays 2.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
  APPROVED:  _____________________
                     Date          
   
            _____________________
                   Governor       
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