89R9651 LHC-F
By: Phelan H.B. No. 4768
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to conditions of community supervision for defendants
convicted of certain criminal offenses involving animals.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Articles 42A.511(a) and (b), Code of Criminal
Procedure, are amended to read as follows:
(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
that is at least two hours in duration [approved and certified by
the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation]; or
(2) complete [attend] a responsible pet owner course
sponsored by a municipal animal shelter, as defined by Section
823.001, Health and Safety Code, that:
(A) receives federal, state, county, or
municipal funds; and
(B) serves the county in which the court is
located.
(b) An [For purposes of the] online responsible pet owner
course described by Subsection (a)(1) must include information
regarding [, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation or
the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation, as appropriate]:
(1) federal and state laws that protect livestock
animals, nonlivestock animals, and wildlife, including:
(A) animal cruelty laws;
(B) dogfighting laws; and
(C) laws prohibiting attacks on assistance
animals;
(2) responsible care for animals, including spaying,
neutering, and tethering animals, and generally providing for the
health, safety, and welfare of livestock animals, nonlivestock
animals, and wildlife;
(3) animal bite prevention; and
(4) laws governing dog and cat breeders under Chapter
802, Occupations Code [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. The change in law made by this Act applies to a
defendant placed on community supervision on or after the effective
date of this Act, regardless of whether the offense for which the
defendant was placed on community supervision was committed before,
on, or after the effective date of this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.