4:22-14.5 Submission of application.

29. a. (1) An application for designation as a humane law enforcement officer of a county society for the prevention of cruelty to animals pursuant to subsection a. of section 28 of P.L.2017, c.331 (C.4:22-14.4) shall be submitted by the governing body of the county society to the county prosecutor. Upon receipt of the application, the county prosecutor shall examine the character, competency, and fitness of the applicant for the position, including initiating a criminal background check at the expense of the applicant.

(2) Upon completion of an examination of an applicant, the county prosecutor shall approve or reject the applicant and provide a written determination, to the applicant and to the county society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, which, if applicable, shall state any reasons for rejecting the applicant.

b. The governing body of a county society for the prevention of cruelty to animals shall not submit an applicant for designation as, and shall terminate the designation of, a humane law enforcement officer who has been convicted of, or found civilly liable for, a violation of any provision of article 2 of chapter 22 of Title 4 of the Revised Statutes or whose name is on the list or any revision thereto established and provided by the Commissioner of Health pursuant to subsection c. of section 3 of P.L.1983, c.525 (C.4:19-15.16a).

c. A county prosecutor may authorize a humane law enforcement officer to possess, carry, and use a firearm while enforcing the laws and ordinances enacted for the protection of animals, if the officer:

(1) has satisfactorily completed a firearms training course as defined in subsection j. of N.J.S.2C:39-6 and approved by the Police Training Commission; and

(2) twice annually qualifies in the use of a revolver or similar weapon.

d. A county society for the prevention of cruelty to animals that has entered into a memorandum of agreement with the county prosecutor pursuant to subparagraph (b) of paragraph (2) of subsection a. of section 28 of P.L.2017, c.331 (C.4:22-14.4) shall submit by October 1 of each year, a report to the animal cruelty prosecutor designated pursuant to subsection a. of section 28 of P.L.2017, c.331 (C.4:22-14.4) which shall include, for the most recently concluded State fiscal year, the number of complaints received for each offense under article 2 of chapter 22 of Title 4 of the Revised Statutes and the number of cases referred to the county prosecutor, and may contain any policy recommendations or concerns of the county society related to animal cruelty law enforcement in the county. The animal cruelty prosecutor shall compile these reports and submit them to the Attorney General as part of the annual report required pursuant to subsection d. of section 31 of P.L.2017, c.331 (C.4:22-14.7).

L.2017, c.331, s.29.