2017 -- H 5477 SUBSTITUTE A

========

LC001556/SUB A

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

____________

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:

1

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

2

amended by adding thereto the following section:

3

     4-19-22. Animal control officers.

4

     (a) Effective January 1, 2019, no municipality shall employ any animal control officer

5

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

6

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

7

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

8

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

9

control officers shall obtain their certification by January 1, 2019.

10

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

11

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

12

limited to, the following criteria:

13

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

14

     (2) Domestic and wild animal behavior;

15

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

16

     (4) Emergency procedures and conflict resolution skills.

 

1

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

========

LC001556/SUB A

========

 

LC001556/SUB A - Page 2 of 3

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY - ANIMAL CARE

***

1

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

2

Care & Control Association.

3

     This act would take effect upon passage.

========

LC001556/SUB A

========

 

LC001556/SUB A - Page 3 of 3