85R22711 LHC-D     By: Lucio III H.B. No. 162       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   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.