ASSEMBLY, No. 2517

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

INTRODUCED DECEMBER 5, 1996

By Assemblyman AZZOLINA

An Act concerning animal control officers, and amending P.L.1983, c.525.

    Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

    1. Section 3 of P.L.1983, c.525 (C.4:19-15.16a) is amended to read as follows:

    3. a. The Commissioner of Health shall, within 120 days after the effective date of [this amendatory and supplementary act] P.L.1983, c.525 (C.4:19-15.1 et al.), and pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c. 410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), adopt rules and regulations concerning the training and educational qualifications for the certification of animal control officers including, but not limited to, a course of study approved by the commissioner, which acquaints a person with:

    (1) The law as it affects animal control and welfare;

    (2) Animal behavior and the handling of stray or diseased animals; and

    (3) Community safety as it relates to animal control.

    The commissioner shall authorize the course of study to include a minimum of 20 hours of classroom training, and a minimum of 40 hours of training with an animal control officer, a minimum of a second 40 hours of training with a different animal control officer, 20 hours of training with a veterinarian at a veterinary hospital, 20 hours of training with a supervisor at a zoo, and 20 hours of training with a supervisor at an animal shelter. The commissioner shall authorize certified Police Training Commission instructors and certified animal control officers employed by a nonprofit humane society for at least ten years to teach the course of study. The commissioner shall provide that the course of study need not be provided at a college or university and that the successful completion of the training offered by the National Animal Control Association shall qualify an individual for certification as an animal control officer.

    Any certificate issued pursuant to this section may be suspended or revoked by the commissioner if the person holding the certificate has been convicted of, or has been assessed a civil penalty for, a violation of federal law or of any law of this or any other state concerning animal control, animal welfare, or animal cruelty.

    b. The commissioner shall provide for the issuance of a certificate to a person who possesses, or acquires, the training and education required to qualify as a certified animal control officer pursuant to the provisions of [this act] P.L.1983, c.525 and the issuance of a certificate to a person who has been employed in the State of New Jersey in the capacity of, and with similar responsibilities to those required of , a certified animal control [officers] officer pursuant to the provisions of [this act] P.L.1983, c.525 for a period of three years before January 17, 1987.

(cf: P.L.1983, c.525, s.3)

    2. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

    This bill would change certain requirements regarding the certification of animal control officers. The bill would allow the course of study for certification to include a combination of classroom training and training outside of the classroom. The Commissioner of Health shall authorize the course of study to include a minimum of 20 hours of classroom training, and a minimum of 40 hours of training with an animal control officer, a minimum of a second 40 hours of training with a different animal control officer, 20 hours of training with a veterinarian at a veterinary hospital, 20 hours of training with a supervisor at a zoo, and 20 hours of training with a supervisor at an animal shelter. The commissioner shall also authorize certified Police Training Commission instructors and certified animal control officers employed by a nonprofit humane society for at least ten years to teach the course of study. In addition, the commissioner shall provide that the course of study need not be provided at a college or university and that the successful completion of the training offered by the National Animal Control Association shall qualify an individual for certification as an animal control officer. Finally, the bill would provide for the suspension or revocation of certification as an animal control officer of a person who has been convicted of, or has been assessed a civil penalty for, a violation of federal law or of any law of this or any other state concerning animal control, animal welfare, or animal cruelty.

Revises requirements for animal control officer certification.