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Training program - 22 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3712

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     § 3712.  Training program.
        (a)  Required training.--Every individual, prior to the
     society or association making application for appointment as a
     humane society police officer, shall successfully complete the
     minimum requirements for initial training prescribed in the
     program for initial training of humane society police officers
     established in accordance with subsections (b), (c), (d) and
     (e).
        (b)  Contracts.--The secretary, with the advice of the board,
     shall contract with an accredited college or university,
     including a community college or other public or private entity,
     for the establishment of a program for the training of
     individuals to act as humane society police officers. The
     contracted entity shall forward information pertaining to an
     individual's successful completion of the initial training
     program to the department for the purpose of maintaining the
     Statewide registry established pursuant to section 3714
     (relating to Statewide registry).
        (c)  Minimum requirements.--The program for the training of
     humane society police officers shall include at a minimum 60
     hours of instruction in accordance with subsection (d).
        (d)  Curriculum.--The program for the training of humane
     society police officers shall provide instruction in the
     following instructional areas:
            (1)  At least 36 hours of instruction shall be provided
        on the following:
                (i)  Pennsylvania cruelty to animal laws.
                (ii)  Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure.
                (iii)  Care and treatment of animals.
                (iv)  Proper execution of search warrants.
                (v)  Proper search and seizure practices.
                (vi)  Any other areas relating to law enforcement
            duties.
            (2)  At least 24 hours of instruction shall be provided
        on the following:
                (i)  Animal husbandry practices constituting normal
            agricultural operation.
                (ii)  Practices accepted in the agricultural industry
            in the raising, keeping and production of agricultural
            animals.
                (iii)  Characteristics of agricultural animals likely
            evidencing care that is in violation of the cruelty to
            animal laws.
                (iv)  Proper care and handling of agricultural
            animals pursuant to enforcement of the cruelty to animals
            laws.
                (v)  Treatments administered and research conducted
            during the normal scope of veterinarian practices.
        (e)  Final examination.--The training program shall require
     individuals, as a prerequisite to successful completion of the
     program, to take and pass a final examination that sufficiently
     measures the individuals's knowledge and understanding of the
     instructional material.
        (f)  Current officers.--Individuals who have been appointed
     as humane society police officers prior to the effective date of
     this chapter are exempt from the initial training requirements
     pursuant to this section provided that the individual can
     provide proof to the secretary of successful completion of a
     similar training program for humane society police officers
     established under the act of December 12, 1994 (P.L.956,
     No.135), known as the Humane Society Police Officer Enforcement
     Act.

        Cross References.  Section 3712 is referred to in sections
     3705, 3714 of this title.

Last modified: November 27, 2007