§3713. Continuing education program.

(a) Required training.--During each two-year period following the date in which an individual has been initially appointed as a humane society police officer, the individual shall successfully complete the minimum requirements for additional training prescribed in the program for continuous education 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 continuing education 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 continuing education 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 continuing education program for the training of humane society police officers shall include at a minimum ten 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 six hours of instruction shall be provided on the following:

(i) Pennsylvania cruelty to animals laws.

(ii) Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure.

(iii) Care and treatment of animals.

(iv) Proper completion of search warrants.

(v) Proper search and seizure practices.

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

(2) At least four 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 animals 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) Automatic suspension.--Failure to complete the continuing education program as prescribed in subsection (a) shall result in an individual's automatic suspension of the powers and authority set forth in section 3708 (relating to powers and authority; jurisdiction) until such time as the individual successfully completes the continuing education requirements.

Notation

Cross References.  Section 3713 is referred to in section 3714 of this title.