89R9651 LHC-F     By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 2438       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.