2017 -- H 5477

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LC001556

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY - ANIMAL CARE

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Bennett, Shanley, Hull, and Lima

     Date Introduced: February 15, 2017

     Referred To: House Municipal Government

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 4-19 of the General Laws entitled "Animal Care" is hereby

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amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     4-19-22. Animal control officers.

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     (a) Effective January 1, 2018, no municipality shall employ any animal control officer

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who has not received certification to be an animal control officer from the National Animal Care

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& Control Association (NACA) or other equivalent organization as determined by the Rhode

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Island society for the prevention of cruelty to animals. All new hires will have a period of twelve

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(12) months from date of hire to receive certification. All existing personnel employed as animal

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control officers will have a period of twelve (12) months beginning January 1, 2018, to receive

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certification.

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     (b) The training and certification program required by subsection (a) of this section shall

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incorporate instruction that shall meet NACA guidelines for certification, including, but not

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limited to, the following criteria:

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     (1) Laws and regulations affecting animal control, animal welfare, and animal cruelty;

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     (2) Domestic and wild animal behavior;

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     (3) Handling and treatment of deceased or stray animals; and

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     (4) Emergency procedures and conflict resolution skills.

 

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY - ANIMAL CARE

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     This act would require that municipal animal control officers be certified by the National

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Care & Control Association.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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