(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 80 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 40 hours of instruction shall be provided on the following:

(i) Pennsylvania cruelty to animal laws.

(ii) Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure.

(iii) Proper procedure for filing citations and warrants, including how and when to contact Federal, State or local law enforcement.

(iv) Proper execution of search warrants.

(v) Proper search and seizure practices.

(vi) Any other areas relating to law enforcement duties.

(2) At least 40 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, treatment and handling of agricultural and other animals pursuant to enforcement of the cruelty to animals laws.

(v) Treatments administered and research conducted during the normal scope of veterinarian practices.

(vi) Agricultural biosecurity protocols.

(vii) General farm orientation, safety and security practices, including instruction in measures for discovery of conditions and implementation of precautionary actions to prevent harm or damage to persons, animals or property.

(3) In conducting the training listed in paragraph (2), the program of instruction shall include at least one on-site visit to a normal agricultural operation that includes agricultural animals and is at least ten acres in contiguous area.

(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.--(Expired).

(f.1) Exemption.--Individuals who have been appointed as humane society police officers and have successfully completed initial training under this chapter prior to June 30, 2018, shall be exempt from the initial training requirements under this section provided that the individual can provide proof to the secretary of successful completion of continuing education training under section 3713 (relating to continuing education program) within six months of the effective date of this subsection.

(Oct. 2, 2018, P.L.511, No.77, eff. one year)

2019 Expiration. Subsection (f) expired October 2, 2019. See Act 77 of 2018.

2018 Amendment. Act 77 amended subsecs. (b), (c), (d) and (f) and added subsec. (f.1).

Cross References. Section 3712 is referred to in sections 3705, 3714, 3715 of this title.