This bill amends existing law to exempt certain individuals from additional training requirements related to animal cruelty enforcement, specifically those who have previously completed relevant courses through the Police Training Commission. It stipulates that individuals who successfully completed phase 1 and phase 2 of the Basic Humane Law Enforcement Course, or a similar course, prior to the enactment of P.L.2017, c.331, will not need to undergo further training. Additionally, the bill allows chief humane law enforcement officers to request exemptions for current or prospective officers who have completed other animal cruelty training, with the Police Training Commission having the discretion to grant these exemptions based on specific conditions.

Furthermore, the bill introduces new requirements for obtaining exemptions, including the necessity for individuals to provide documentation from their primary care physician confirming their health and fitness to perform law enforcement duties. It also establishes disqualifications for receiving exemptions, such as being convicted of a crime, being found liable for civil animal cruelty offenses, or having been separated from law enforcement duties for seven years or more. Additionally, the bill removes the provision that allowed agents of a county society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, appointed before the enactment of P.L.2017, c.331, to be designated as municipal humane law enforcement officers or similar roles.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 4:22-11.11, 4:22-14.3