81R21340 JSC-D
By: Alonzo H.B. No. 243
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to equipping certain K-9 law enforcement vehicles with
heat alarm systems.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 821, Health and Safety
Code, is amended by adding Section 821.005 to read as follows:
Sec. 821.005. HEAT ALARM SYSTEM IN K-9 LAW ENFORCEMENT
VEHICLES. (a) In this section, "law enforcement agency" means:
(1) the Department of Public Safety;
(2) the sheriff's department of a county; or
(3) the police department of a municipality.
(b) A law enforcement agency may equip each vehicle used in
a K-9 law enforcement program with a heat alarm system that is
activated when the vehicle stops running or the temperature in the
vehicle's interior becomes dangerous to a police dog in the
vehicle. The system when activated must:
(1) activate an audible alarm;
(2) automatically lower the vehicle's rear windows;
and
(3) page the K-9 law enforcement officer.
(c) This section does not apply to an open-air vehicle used
in connection with a K-9 law enforcement program.
SECTION 2. A vehicle used in a K-9 law enforcement program
equipped with a heat alarm system on the effective date of this Act
is not required to meet the standards under Section 821.005, Health
and Safety Code, as added by this Act, before January 1, 2011.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.