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                                                      PRINTER'S NO. 1094

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA


SENATE BILL

No. 871 Session of 2003


        INTRODUCED BY WENGER, CORMAN, MADIGAN, THOMPSON, ROBBINS,
           KASUNIC, M. WHITE, EARLL, WAUGH, LEMMOND, RAFFERTY,
           TARTAGLIONE, COSTA, HELFRICK AND KITCHEN, JULY 15, 2003

        REFERRED TO AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS, JULY 15, 2003

                                     AN ACT

     1  Relating to and defining the profession of the humane society
     2     police officer; conferring powers and imposing duties on the
     3     State Board of Humane Society Police Officers and the
     4     Department of Agriculture; providing for examination,
     5     licensure and continuing education; providing for the
     6     granting, cancellation, suspension and revocation of
     7     appointments; preserving the rights of existing appointments;
     8     providing for search warrants; providing for promulgation of
     9     rules and regulations; providing penalties and remedies for
    10     persons engaged in the profession of humane society police
    11     officers; promoting the protection of all domestic animals
    12     and preventing any acts of cruelty; and making a repeal.

    13                         TABLE OF CONTENTS
    14  Section 1.  Short title.
    15  Section 2.  Definitions.
    16  Section 3.  State Board of Humane Society Police Officers.
    17  Section 4.  Board duties, rights, privileges and powers.
    18  Section 5.  Humane society police officers.
    19  Section 6.  Humane society police officer training program.
    20  Section 7.  Limitation on possession of firearms.
    21  Section 8.  Search warrants.
    22  Section 9.  Procedure to disciplinary actions.


     1  Section 10.  Misdemeanor of the third degree.
     2  Section 11.  Reinstatement of appointment, certificate or
     3                 registration.
     4  Section 12.  Enforcement duties and powers.
     5  Section 13.  Temporary appointment.
     6  Section 14.  Application of act to prior appointees.
     7  Section 15.  Regulations.
     8  Section 16.  Repeals.
     9  Section 17.  Effective date.
    10     The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
    11  hereby enacts as follows:
    12  Section. 1.  Short title.
    13     This act shall be known and may be cited as the Humane
    14  Society Police Officer Act.
    15  Section 2.  Definitions.
    16     The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
    17  have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
    18  context clearly indicates otherwise:
    19     "Agricultural animal."  A bovine animal, equine animal,
    20  sheep, goat, pig, poultry, bird, fowl, wild or semiwild animal
    21  or fish or other aquatic animal that is raised, kept,
    22  transported or utilized for the purpose of or pursuant to
    23  agricultural production.
    24     "Agricultural production."  The production and preparation
    25  for market of agricultural animals and their products and of
    26  agricultural, agronomic, horticultural, silvicultural and
    27  aquacultural crops and commodities.
    28     "Board."  The State Board of Humane Society Police Officers.
    29     "Cruelty to animals laws."  The provisions of 18 Pa.C.S. §
    30  5511 (relating to cruelty to animals).
    20030S0871B1094                  - 2 -     

     1     "Department."  The Department of Agriculture of the
     2  Commonwealth.
     3     "Humane society police officer."  A person who is duly
     4  appointed pursuant to 22 Pa.C.S. § 501 (relating to appointment
     5  by nonprofit corporations) to act as a police officer for a
     6  society or association for the prevention of cruelty to animals
     7  or who is an agent of a society or association for the
     8  prevention of cruelty to animals as the term "agent" is used in
     9  18 Pa.C.S. § 5511 (relating to cruelty to animals).
    10     "Land grant institution."  An educational institution located
    11  within or outside the geographic boundaries of this Commonwealth
    12  that has received a grant of public land made by the Congress of
    13  the United States for the support of education pursuant to the
    14  act of July 2, 1862 (12 Stat. 503, 7 U.S.C. § 301 et seq.),
    15  referred to as the Morrill Act.
    16     "Society or association for the prevention of cruelty to
    17  animals."  A nonprofit society or association duly incorporated
    18  pursuant to 15 Pa.C.S. Ch. 53 Subch. A (relating to
    19  incorporation generally) for the purpose of the prevention of
    20  cruelty to animals.
    21  Section 3.  State Board of Humane Society Police Officers.
    22     (a)  Establishment.--There is hereby established within the
    23  Department of Agriculture a board to be known as the State Board
    24  of Humane Society Police Officers. The board shall consist of
    25  the following members:
    26         (1)  The Secretary of Agriculture or a designee.
    27         (2)  The State Veterinarian.
    28         (3)  Three humane society police officers, two humane
    29     society executive directors and one member representing the
    30     public at large, each of whom shall be appointed by the
    20030S0871B1094                  - 3 -     

     1     Governor with the advice and consent of a majority of the
     2     members elected to the Senate.
     3         (4)  Five veterinarians possessing the requisite
     4     qualifications to practice veterinary medicine under the laws
     5     of this Commonwealth, each of whom has at least five years'
     6     experience immediately preceding appointment with one of the
     7     following designated species: small animals, bovine, swine,
     8     equine and poultry. Each veterinarian shall be appointed by
     9     the Governor with the advice and consent of a majority of the
    10     members elected to the Senate. In appointing veterinarians,
    11     the Governor shall consider nominees suggested by Statewide
    12     farm organizations, the poultry industry and equine and
    13     livestock breeding organizations.
    14         (5)  Two members representing production agriculture,
    15     each of whom shall be appointed by the Governor with the
    16     advice and consent of a majority of the members elected to
    17     the Senate.
    18     (b)  Terms.--The term of each member of the board shall be
    19  three years or until such time as a successor has been appointed
    20  and qualified, but not longer in any event than six months
    21  beyond the three-year period. If any member dies or resigns or
    22  otherwise becomes disqualified during that member's term, a
    23  successor shall be appointed in the same way and with the same
    24  qualifications and shall hold office for the unexpired term. No
    25  member shall be eligible for appointment to serve more than two
    26  consecutive terms.
    27     (c)  Quorum.--A majority of the member of the board serving
    28  in accordance with law shall constitute a quorum for purposes of
    29  conducting the business of the board. A member may not be
    30  counted as part of a quorum or vote on any issue unless that
    20030S0871B1094                  - 4 -     

     1  member is physically in attendance at the meeting. The board
     2  shall keep a full and accurate record of all proceedings and of
     3  all resolutions and orders issued or adopted.
     4     (d)  Chairperson and secretary.--The Secretary of Agriculture
     5  shall serve as the chairperson of the board. The members shall
     6  elect a secretary.
     7     (e)  Residency requirement.--All members shall be residents
     8  of this Commonwealth.
     9     (f)  Compensation.--Each member of the board except the
    10  Secretary of Agriculture and the State Veterinarian shall
    11  receive $100 per day for each day actually engaged in the
    12  business of the board as compensation for serving on the board
    13  and shall devote such time and effort to the prosecution of the
    14  board's business as necessary to fulfill the board's obligation
    15  under law. The members shall also be entitled to reimbursement
    16  in the amount of reasonable traveling, hotel and other necessary
    17  expenses incurred in the performance of their duties in
    18  accordance with Commonwealth regulations.
    19     (g)  Attendance at meetings.--A member of the board who fails
    20  to attend three consecutive meetings shall forfeit that member's
    21  seat unless the Secretary of Agriculture, upon written request
    22  from the member, finds that the member should be excused from a
    23  meeting because of illness or the death of a family member.
    24     (h)  Seminars.--A public member who fails to attend two
    25  consecutive statutorily mandated seminars in accordance with
    26  section 813(e) of the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175),
    27  known as The Administrative Code of 1929, shall forfeit that
    28  member's seat unless the Secretary of Agriculture, upon written
    29  request from the public member, finds that the public member
    30  should be excused from a meeting because of illness or the death
    20030S0871B1094                  - 5 -     

     1  of a family member.
     2     (i)  Frequency of meetings.--The board shall meet at least
     3  once every four months and at such additional times as may be
     4  necessary to conduct the business of the board.
     5  Section 4.  Board duties, rights, privileges and powers.
     6     The board shall do all of the following:
     7         (1)  Adopt reasonable rules and regulations governing
     8     humane society police officers as are necessary to enable it
     9     to carry out and make effective the purpose and intent of
    10     this act.
    11         (2)  Adopt rules and regulations of professional conduct
    12     for humane society police officers which are appropriate to
    13     establish and maintain a high standard of integrity and
    14     skills.
    15         (3)  Have its rules printed and distributed to all humane
    16     society police officers.
    17         (4)  Administer and enforce the law and rules and
    18     regulations relating to humane society police officers.
    19         (5)  Approve the qualifications of applicants for
    20     appointments to become humane society police officers.
    21         (6)  Prescribe the subject, character, manner, time and
    22     place of holding training, examinations and the filing of
    23     applications for examinations. The board may require the
    24     payment of fees by applicants for training, continuing
    25     education and examinations.
    26         (7)  Issue temporary permits to duly qualified
    27     applicants, signed by the chairperson and attested by the
    28     secretary under an adopted seal.
    29         (8)  Provide for, regulate and require all persons
    30     appointed in accordance with the provisions of this act to
    20030S0871B1094                  - 6 -     

     1     register their appointment biennially, to require as a
     2     condition precedent to such biennial registration the payment
     3     of the biennial registration fee as provided in this act, to
     4     issue biennial registration certificates to such persons and
     5     to suspend or revoke the registration of such persons who
     6     fail, refuse or neglect to register same or pay such fees.
     7         (9)  Conduct investigations and hearings upon complaints
     8     calling for discipline of an appointee.
     9         (10)  Have summons and subpoenas issued, if necessary,
    10     for any witnesses or subpoenas duces tecum in connection with
    11     any matter within the jurisdiction of the board.
    12         (11)  Adopt such forms as it may deem necessary.
    13         (12)  Submit annually to the Appropriations Committee of
    14     the Senate and the Appropriations Committee of the House of
    15     Representatives not more than 15 days after the Governor has
    16     submitted the budget required by law to the General Assembly,
    17     a copy of the budget request for the upcoming fiscal year
    18     which the board previously submitted to the Department of
    19     Agriculture.
    20         (13)  Submit annually a report to the Agricultural and
    21     Rural Affair Committees of both the Senate and the House of
    22     Representatives containing a description of the types of
    23     complaints received, the status of ongoing cases, board
    24     action which has been taken and the length of time from the
    25     initial complaint to final board resolution.
    26         (14)  Keep records of its proceedings, especially
    27     regarding the issuance, denial, registration, suspension and
    28     revocation of appointment for humane society police officers.
    29     All appointments issued by the board shall be numbered and
    30     recorded by the secretary, and a file kept for that purpose
    20030S0871B1094                  - 7 -     

     1     and such file or record shall be open to the public
     2     inspection. In all actions or proceedings in any court, a
     3     transcript of any record or any part thereof, which is
     4     certified to be a true copy by the secretary, shall be
     5     entitled to admission in evidence.
     6  Section 5.  Humane society police officers.
     7     (a)  Application for appointment of humane society police
     8  officers.--No society, association, corporation or organization,
     9  other than a society or association for the prevention of
    10  cruelty to animals, shall be eligible under 22 Pa.C.S. § 501
    11  (relating to appointment by nonprofit corporations) to apply for
    12  or receive appointment of any individual as a police officer in
    13  the enforcement of cruelty to animals laws. Each society or
    14  association for the prevention of cruelty to animals which makes
    15  application to the board pursuant to 22 Pa.C.S. § 501 for the
    16  appointment of an individual to act as a police officer for the
    17  society or association for the prevention of cruelty to animals
    18  must provide an application, a fee determined by the board and
    19  the documentation the board may require to demonstrate that the
    20  person has satisfactorily completed a training program
    21  established in accordance with section 6.
    22     (b)  Appointment by board and jurisdiction of humane society
    23  police officers.--An individual may not exercise the powers
    24  conferred upon an agent of a society or association for the
    25  prevention of cruelty to animals under 18 Pa.C.S. § 5511
    26  (relating to cruelty to animals) or the powers conferred upon a
    27  humane society police officer within the boundaries of a county
    28  under 22 Pa.C.S. § 501(c) unless such powers are exercised in
    29  full accordance with all of the provisions of 22 Pa.C.S. § 501.
    30     (c)  Requirement of appointment as a humane society police
    20030S0871B1094                  - 8 -     

     1  officer.--A humane society police officer must complete a humane
     2  society police officer training program as constituted and
     3  certified by the board.
     4     (d)  Criminal history information.--The application for the
     5  appointment of a person to act as a humane society police
     6  officer shall include a report of criminal history record
     7  information from the Pennsylvania State Police pursuant to 18
     8  Pa.C.S. Ch. 91 (relating to criminal history record information)
     9  or a statement from the Pennsylvania State Police that the
    10  Pennsylvania State Police central repository contains no
    11  pertinent information relating to the person who is the subject
    12  of the application. The criminal history record information
    13  shall be limited to that which may be disseminated pursuant to
    14  18 Pa.C.S. § 9121(b)(2) (relating to general regulations).
    15     (e)  Refusal, suspension or revocation of appointment.--The
    16  board shall refuse to appoint a person to act as a humane
    17  society police officer, or shall suspend or revoke the
    18  appointment of a person who is acting as a humane society police
    19  officer, if the board determines that the person:
    20         (1)  Has failed to satisfy the training requirements of
    21     section 6.
    22         (2)  Has failed to provide documentation which is
    23     required by this act to be submitted with an application for
    24     appointment or other documentation which the board may
    25     reasonably request.
    26         (3)  Has a criminal history record which would disqualify
    27     the applicant from becoming a private police officer pursuant
    28     to 22 Pa.C.S. Ch. 5 (relating to private police).
    29         (4)  Has been convicted of violating 18 Pa.C.S. § 5301
    30     (relating to official oppression).
    20030S0871B1094                  - 9 -     

     1     (f)  Additional grounds for refusal, suspension or revocation
     2  of appointment.--The board may refuse to appoint a person to act
     3  as a humane society police officer or may suspend or revoke the
     4  appointment of a person who acts as a humane society police
     5  officer if the board determines that the person:
     6         (1)  Has failed to keep, maintain or make available such
     7     records as are required to be kept, maintained or made
     8     available under section 6(f) for certification of completion
     9     of additional training requirements.
    10         (2)  Has made a false or misleading statement in the
    11     application for appointment or a certification of completion
    12     of additional training or submitted an application for
    13     appointment or a certification for completion of additional
    14     training containing a false or misleading statement.
    15         (3)  Has carried or possessed a firearm in the
    16     performance of duty without certification pursuant to section
    17     7.
    18         (4)  Has engaged in conduct which constitutes a prima
    19     facie violation of 18 Pa.C.S. § 5301.
    20         (5)  Has violated any of the provisions of this act.
    21     (g)  Effect on 22 Pa.C.S. § 501.--Nothing in this section
    22  shall be construed to limit the authority of the board to deny
    23  the appointment of any person or to place upon any person any
    24  additional prerequisites or conditions of appointment pursuant
    25  to 22 Pa.C.S. § 501(a).
    26  Section 6.  Humane society police officer training program.
    27     (a)  General rule.--A land grant institution approved by the
    28  board may establish a program for training of individuals to act
    29  as humane society police officers.
    30     (b)  Minimum requirements.--The program for initial training
    20030S0871B1094                 - 10 -     

     1  of humane society police officers must include, at a minimum, a
     2  total of 56 hours of instruction in accordance with subsections
     3  (c) and (d).
     4     (c)  Instructional areas.--At least 32 hours of instruction
     5  in the initial training program must be provided in the
     6  following group of instructional areas:
     7         (1)  Cruelty to animals laws.
     8         (2)  Care and treatment of animals.
     9         (3)  Pennsylvania rules of criminal law and criminal
    10     procedure.
    11     (d)  Curriculum.--At least 24 hours of instruction in the
    12  initial training program must be provided in the following group
    13  of instructional areas:
    14         (1)  Animal husbandry practices constituting normal
    15     agricultural operation.
    16         (2)  Practices accepted in the agricultural industry in
    17     the raising, keeping and production of agricultural animals.
    18         (3)  Characteristics of agricultural animals likely
    19     evidencing care that is violative of the cruelty to animals
    20     laws.
    21         (4)  Proper care and handling of agricultural animals
    22     pursuant to enforcement of the cruelty to animals laws.
    23         (5)  Treatments administered and research conducted
    24     during the normal scope of veterinarian practices.
    25     (e)  Final examination.--The initial training program must
    26  also require an individual, as a prerequisite to successful
    27  completion of the training program, to take and pass a final
    28  examination that sufficiently measures the individual's
    29  knowledge and understanding of the instructional material.
    30     (f)  Continuing education.--
    20030S0871B1094                 - 11 -     

     1         (1)  The program for continuous training of humane
     2     society police officers must provide for such instruction as
     3     will allow an individual to receive, at a minimum, a total of
     4     ten hours of additional instruction every two years. At least
     5     two of the eight hours of instruction must be provided in
     6     areas of instruction prescribed in subsection (d). The
     7     program must attempt to provide to an individual instruction
     8     that differs from instruction previously provided to the
     9     individual during the individual's initial or continuous
    10     training.
    11         (2)  The society or association for the prevention of
    12     cruelty to animals for which an individual acts as humane
    13     society police officer shall maintain complete and accurate
    14     records documenting that the individual has successfully
    15     completed all requirements for additional training of humane
    16     society police officers established in accordance with
    17     subsection (g). The society or association for the prevention
    18     of cruelty to animals shall make such records available, upon
    19     request, to the board and to any person.
    20     (g)  Additional training requirements.--During each two-year
    21  period following the date in which a humane society police
    22  officer has been initially appointed, the officer shall
    23  successfully complete the minimum requirements for additional
    24  training prescribed in the program for continuous training of
    25  humane society police officers established in accordance with
    26  subsection (f).
    27  Section 7.  Limitation on possession of firearms.
    28     No person appointed as a humane society police officer shall
    29  carry, possess or use a firearm in the performance of that
    30  person's duties unless that person holds a current and valid
    20030S0871B1094                 - 12 -     

     1  certification in the use and handling of firearms pursuant to at
     2  least one of the following:
     3         (1)  53 Pa.C.S. Ch. 21 Subch. D (relating to municipal
     4     police education and training).
     5         (2)  The act of October 10, 1974 (P.L.705, No.235), known
     6     as the Lethal Weapons Training Act.
     7         (3)  The act of February 9, 1984 (P.L.3, No.2), known as
     8     the Deputy Sheriffs' Education and Training Act.
     9         (4)  Any other firearms program which has been determined
    10     by the Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police to be of
    11     sufficient scope and duration as to provide the person with
    12     basic training in the use and handling of firearms.
    13  Section 8.  Search warrants.
    14     Notwithstanding contrary provisions of 18 Pa.C.S. § 5511(1)
    15  (relating to cruelty to animals) and in addition to the
    16  requirements of existing law, all search warrant applications
    17  filed in connection with alleged violations of cruelty to
    18  animals laws must have the approval of the district attorney
    19  prior to filing.
    20  Section 9.  Procedure in disciplinary actions.
    21     (a)  Due process.--Disciplinary actions of the board shall be
    22  taken subject only after affording due notice, hearing,
    23  adjudication and a right of appeal in accordance with 2 Pa.C.S.
    24  (relating to administrative law and procedure).
    25     (b)  Temporary suspension.--
    26         (1)  The board shall temporarily suspend an appointment
    27     under circumstances determined by the board to constitute an
    28     immediate and clear danger to the public health or safety.
    29     Temporary suspensions shall remain in effect until vacated by
    30     the board, but in no event longer than 180 days.
    20030S0871B1094                 - 13 -     

     1         (2)  Notwithstanding subsection (a), the board may order
     2     a temporary suspension without first holding a hearing, but
     3     such order shall be issued only after providing due notice to
     4     the appointee at the appointee's last known address, which
     5     shall include a written statement of all allegations.
     6         (3)  Thereafter, the board shall commence formal action
     7     forthwith to suspend, revoke or restrict the appointment as
     8     provided in this act. In such instances, action shall be
     9     taken promptly and without delay.
    10         (4)  Within 30 days after issuing an order temporarily
    11     suspending an appointment, the board shall conduct or cause
    12     to be conducted a preliminary hearing to determine whether
    13     there is a prima facie case supporting suspension. The
    14     appointee may be present at the preliminary hearing and may
    15     be represented by counsel, call and cross-examine witnesses,
    16     inspect physical evidence, offer evidence and testimony and
    17     make a record of the proceedings.
    18         (5)  If no prima facie case is presented, the suspension
    19     shall be removed immediately.
    20     (c)  Automatic suspension.--
    21         (1)  An appointment issued under this act shall be
    22     suspended automatically if the appointee is legally committed
    23     to an institution due to mental incompetency, upon filing
    24     with the board a certified copy of such commitment, upon
    25     conviction of a felony under the act of April 14, 1972
    26     (P.L.233, No.64), known as The Controlled Substance, Drug,
    27     Device and Cosmetic Act, or upon conviction of an offense
    28     under the laws of another jurisdiction, which, if committed
    29     in this Commonwealth, would be a felony under The Controlled
    30     Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act.
    20030S0871B1094                 - 14 -     

     1         (2)  As used in this subsection, the term "conviction"
     2     shall include a judgment, an admission of guilt or a plea of
     3     nolo contendere.
     4         (3)  Suspension under this section shall not be stayed
     5     pending appeal of a conviction. Restoration of such
     6     appointment shall be made as provided in this act for
     7     revocation or suspension of such appointment.
     8  Section 10.  Misdemeanor of the third degree.
     9     A person who fails to return a suspended or revoked
    10  appointment or registration in such a manner as the board
    11  directs commits a misdemeanor of the third degree.
    12  Section 11.  Reinstatement of appointment, certificate or
    13                 registration.
    14     Unless ordered to do so by a court, the board may not
    15  reinstate the appointment, certificate or registration of a
    16  humane society police officer that has been revoked. Any person
    17  whose appointment has been revoked may apply for reinstatement
    18  after a period of at least five years but must meet all
    19  licensing qualifications set by this act, including the
    20  examination requirement.
    21  Section 12.  Enforcement duties and powers.
    22     (a)  General rule.--The enforcement of laws and rules
    23  regulating humane society police officers is primarily vested in
    24  the board, which shall have the following powers and duties:
    25         (1)  To inspect appointments.
    26         (2)  To conduct investigations of alleged violations of
    27     this act.
    28         (3)  To issue subpoenas, upon application of an attorney
    29     representing the Commonwealth in disciplinary matters before
    30     the board, for the purpose of investigating alleged
    20030S0871B1094                 - 15 -     

     1     violations of the disciplinary provisions administered by the
     2     board. The board shall have the power to subpoena witnesses,
     3     to administer oaths, to examine witnesses and to take such
     4     testimony or compel the production of such books, records,
     5     papers and documents as it may deem necessary or proper in
     6     and pertinent to any proceeding, investigation or hearing
     7     held or had by it. Medical records may not be subpoenaed
     8     without consent of the patient or without order of a court of
     9     competent jurisdiction on a showing that the records are
    10     reasonably necessary for the conduct of the investigation.
    11     The board may impose such limitations on the scope of the
    12     subpoena as are necessary to prevent unnecessary intrusion
    13     into confidential information. The board is authorized to
    14     apply to Commonwealth Court to enforce its subpoenas. An
    15     attorney responsible for representing the Commonwealth in
    16     disciplinary matters before the board shall notify the board
    17     immediately upon receiving notification of an alleged
    18     violation of this act. The board shall maintain current
    19     records of all reported alleged violations and periodically
    20     review the records for the purpose of determining that each
    21     alleged violation has been resolved in a timely manner.
    22     (b)  Rules and regulations.--The board may make such
    23  reasonable rules and regulations as it deems necessary and
    24  proper in order to carry out the intent and purpose of this act.
    25  Section 13.  Temporary appointment.
    26     (a)  General rule.--An agent of a society or association for
    27  the prevention of cruelty to animals may petition the board for
    28  temporary appointment as a humane society police officer,
    29  provided that:
    30         (1)  No other agent for the society or association for
    20030S0871B1094                 - 16 -     

     1     the prevention of cruelty to animals is currently appointed
     2     to act as a humane society police officer for that society.
     3         (2)  The agent has not been previously appointed under
     4     this section.
     5         (3)  The agent submits to the board the criminal history
     6     information prescribed in section 5(d) and such information
     7     shows that such agent would not be disqualified from
     8     appointment under section 5(e)(3).
     9     (b)  Expiration.--A temporary appointment under this section
    10  shall expire at the end of six months or such time as the agent
    11  or any other agent of the humane society has been permanently
    12  appointed by the board to act as humane society police officer
    13  in the county, whichever is earlier. No more than one temporary
    14  appointment shall be effective for any society or association
    15  for the prevention of cruelty to animals at any time.
    16  Section 14.  Application of act to prior appointees.
    17     (a)  General rule.--A humane society police officer who,
    18  prior to the effective date of this act:
    19         (1)  Has successfully completed a training program
    20     similar to that required under section 6 shall, after review
    21     by the board, be certified as having met the training
    22     requirements of this act.
    23         (2)  Has not successfully completed a training program
    24     similar to that required under section 6 may continue to
    25     perform the duties of a humane society police officer until
    26     such person has successfully completed the required training
    27     program, but not longer than one year from the effective date
    28     of this act.
    29     (b)  Uncertified officers.--A humane society police officer
    30  who, prior to the effective date of this act, has not been
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     1  certified in the use and handling of firearms pursuant to one or
     2  more of the provisions of section 7 may not carry or possess a
     3  firearm in the performance of the duties of a humane society
     4  police officer on or after the effective date of this act until
     5  the person has been certified in the use and handling of
     6  firearms in accordance with this act.
     7  Section 15.  Regulations.
     8     The department shall promulgate such regulations, if any, as
     9  are necessary to implement and enforce this act.
    10  Section 16.  Repeals.
    11     (a)  Specific repeals.--The following acts or parts of acts
    12  are repealed in part:
    13         22 Pa.C.S. § 501 to the extent that it deals with animals
    14     and cruelty to animals.
    15     (b)  Inconsistent repeals.--The following acts or parts of
    16  acts are repealed insofar as they are inconsistent with this
    17  act:
    18         Act of December 12, 1994 (P.L.956, No.135), known as the
    19     Humane Society Police Officer Enforcement Act.
    20  Section 17.  Effective date.
    21     This act shall take effect in 60 days.






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