(A)

(1) The chief of the division of wildlife, with the approval of the director of natural resources, may enter into a memorandum of understanding, agreement, or mutual aid compact with the head of any entity of another state, federal entity, or foreign entity that employs or appoints a law enforcement officer who has substantially the same duties as a peace officer, as "peace officer" is defined in section 2935.01 of the Revised Code, to enable wildlife officers and the specified law enforcement officers to assist each other in the provision of law enforcement services within the jurisdictions that are subject to the memorandum of understanding, agreement, or mutual aid compact.

(2) Employees of the division of wildlife who are serving under the terms of a memorandum of understanding, agreement, or mutual aid compact entered into under division (A)(1) of this section shall be considered as performing services within their regular employment for purposes of compensation, pension or indemnity fund rights, workers' compensation, and other rights or benefits to which they may be entitled as incidents of their regular employment.

(3) Employees of the division of wildlife who are serving under the terms of a memorandum of understanding, agreement, or mutual aid compact entered into under division (A)(1) of this section retain personal immunity from civil liability under section 9.86 of the Revised Code and all rights of indemnification and representation incident to regular employment.

(B) The chief shall adopt rules to enter into a reciprocal agreement with participating states for the enhancement of compliance with hunting, fishing, and other wildlife laws. The agreement is named the wildlife violators compact. The agreement and the rules shall provide for the fair and impartial treatment of wildlife violators operating within participating states in recognition of the violators' due process rights.

Effective Date: 2007 HB153 10-18-2007.