changes to the pet owner course for animal cruelty probation

The text as introduced · 494 words

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.