SENATE SENIOR CITIZENS, VETERANS' AFFAIRS AND AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE

 

STATEMENT TO

 

SENATE, No. 1218

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

DATED: MAY 30, 1996

 

      The Senate Senior Citizens, Veterans' Affairs and Agriculture Committee favorably reports Senate Bill No. 1218.

      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. Finally, 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.