First it should be noted that taxpayers aren't paying for actual training of ACO's, we're merely going to be paying for a few people to carry out the oversight of that training who will have complete control and authority to certify an ACO to legally work in that position. And sadly, we all know that authority will be on behalf of our politicians who have been anything but impartial.
You merely have to look at the various state codes and you'll realize that there is no other professions that are subjected to this kind of limited political oversight like the ACO position will be if this legislation is passed. Whether it be police officer, a barber, or even a landscaper, the state has boards or a council (police training) in place to handle not only the approval of such training by people experienced in the profession, but also an appeal process to ensure that a person does not lose their livelihood based on politics or an arbitrary decision by one or two people.
As this law is currently written, an ACO doesn't even have a mechanism to appeal a decision made that will take away their livelihood anywhere in the state if their certification is withdrawn, even if another shelter or municipality is then handling dog control. Do we now live in the dictatorship of DelaRussia with the new czars being the politicians pulling the strings? Wow.
I have to admit, that I'm actually a little shocked that this legislation and other animal welfare legislation was introduced now, and not the typical June sneak attack as occurred with CAPA. But then again, I'm sure the politicians know everyone is watching.
I do find that the state was once again less than transparent by introducing all this legislation on the same day the DVMA had their semi-annual meeting. Of course our political players wouldn't want animal health experts looking at the new animal welfare laws during their meeting (I sarcastically say).
We've already seen some highly experienced ACO's leave the profession in Delaware because of the nasty environment that the Delaware animal welfare world has become, but it remains to be seen whether this legislation will push away any remaining experienced people for fear that they will be subject to the political whims of our "No-Kill" legislators and governor. I certainly can't see any experienced ACO's moving into the state and this environment, which is a shame for our residents and for the animals.
Below is the bill as it is currently written for your reference.
SPONSOR:
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Rep. Jaques & Rep. K. Williams & Sen. Blevins & Sen. McBride & Sen. Peterson
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Reps. Baumbach, Gray, Hudson, Kowalko, Miro, Ramone, M. Smith, Smyk, D.E. Williams, Wilson; Sens. Bushweller, Cloutier, Poore, Townsend
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
147th GENERAL ASSEMBLY
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HOUSE BILL NO. 311
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AN ACT TO AMEND TITLES 9, 11, AND 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO ANIMALS.
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WHEREAS, Animal Control Officers and Animal Cruelty Agents in the State of Delaware carry out law enforcement duties, but there are no requirements or opportunities for uniform training and certification; and
WHEREAS, the Animal Welfare Task Force, established by Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 44 of the 146th General Assembly, recommended the development and implementation of statewide training and certification of Animal Control Officers; and
WHEREAS, the Office of Animal Welfare was established in the Department of Health and Social Services to carry out recommendations of the Animal Welfare Task Force, including the development and implementation of Animal Control Officer and Animal Cruelty Agent training and certification;
NOW, THEREFORE:
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:
Section 1. Amend § 917, Title 9 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strikethrough and insertions as shown by underlining as follows:
(b) All animal control constables, animal control officers, dog control agents, and dog wardens shall be uniformed and shall be adequately trained, certified, and equipped to enforce the dog control laws and ordinances of the State or any of its political subdivisions and the county, including municipalities.
Section 2. Amend § 122(3), Title 16 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strikethrough and insertions as shown by underlining as follows and redesignating accordingly:
aa. Regulate the training and educational qualifications for the certification of animal control constables, animal control officers, animal cruelty agents, dog control agents, and dog wardens. The Department shall:
(1) Develop requirements for certification and curricula preparing a person for certification;
(2) Develop criteria and standards for evaluating educational programs preparing a person for training and certification; including in conjunction with the Delaware Department of Agriculture and the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control concerning livestock, poultry, and wildlife for animal cruelty agents;
(3) Approve such programs that meet the requirements of this chapter and of the Department;
(4) Deny or withdraw approval from educational programs for failure to meet approved curricula or other criteria;
(5) Certify and renew certification of duly qualified applicants;
(6) Keep current a registry of all persons certified as animal control constables, animal control officers, animal cruelty agents, dog control agents, and dog wardens in the State;
(7) Establish requirements for mandatory continuing education and certification renewal; and
(8) Impose disciplinary sanctions and conduct hearings upon charges that may result in disciplinary sanctions outlined in this chapter in conformance with the Administrative Procedures Act, Chapter 101 of Title 29, and the Freedom of Information Act.
(e) A person who acts as a certified animal control constable, animal control officer, animal cruelty agent, dog control agent, or dog warden without certification from the Department is subject to penalties pursuant to Title 16, § 107 of the Delaware Code.
(f) The Department may, by endorsement, without written examination, certify an animal control constable, animal control officer, animal cruelty agent, dog control agent, or dog warden who has completed a training program that meets the educational requirements for certification defined by the Department and if, in the opinion of the Department or its designee, the applicant meets the qualifications specified by this chapter for an animal control constable, animal control officer, dog control agent, or dog warden.
(g) Dog control educational programs.
(1) Any organization or institution desiring to conduct a dog control education program shall apply to the Department and submit satisfactory evidence that it is ready and qualified to instruct students in the prescribed basic curriculum for certifying animal control constables, dog control agents, animal control officers, or dog wardens, and that is prepared to meet other standards which may be established by the Department.
(2) If the Department determines that any approved educational program is not maintaining the standards required by this chapter and by the Department, written notice thereof, specifying the deficiency and the time within which the same shall be corrected, shall immediately be issued to the program. The Department shall withdraw such programs approval if it fails to correct the deficiency. The organization or institution may reapply for approval to the Department once the program meets standards established by the Department.
(h) The Department may impose sanctions defined in this chapter singly or in combination when it finds a certified or former certified animal control constable, animal control officer, animal cruelty agent, dog control agent, or dog warden committed any offense described below:
(1) Engages in fraud or deceit in procuring or attempting to procure a certification/license;
(2) Is guilty of a crime against person or property;
(3) Has been found by an employer to be unfit or incompetent;
(4) Has had a certification or license to serve as a dog control agent suspended or revoked in any jurisdiction; or
(5) Has willfully or negligently violated this chapter.
(i) The Department shall establish procedures for documenting all complaints, and conducting investigations of complaints filed against animal control constables, animal control officers, animal cruelty agents, dog control agents, or dog wardens that may result in sanctions.
(j) Disciplinary sanctions are as follows:
(1) Permanently revoke a certification or license to be an animal control constable, animal control officer, dog control agent, or dog warden;
(2) Refuse a certification or certification renewal;
(3) Suspend a certification or license;
(4) Place a certification or license on probationary status and require licensee to: report regularly to the Department upon the matters which are the basis of probation; limit practice to those areas prescribed by the Department; or continue or renew professional education until satisfactory degree of skill has been attained in those areas which are the basis of the probation;
(5) Issue a letter of reprimand; and
(6) Require additional training.
Section 3. Amend § 1325, Title 11 of the Delaware Code, by making deletions as shown by strikethrough and insertions as shown by underlining as follows:
(e) Any trained and certified agent of the Delaware Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or, in Kent County of this State, of the Kent County First State Animal Center - Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, may impound an animal owned or possessed in apparent violation of this section, consistent with § 7904 of Title 3.
Section 4. This Act becomes effective upon final publication of the regulations by the Department of Health and Social Services.
SYNOPSIS
During hearings of the Animal Welfare Task Force, established by Senate Concurrent Resolution 44 in the 146thGeneral Assembly, members of the public expressed serious concern about the lack in standardized training and certification of Animal Control Officers (ACOs) and Animal Cruelty Agents (ACAs). ACOs and ACAs in the State of Delaware carry out law enforcement duties, such as issuing warrants, citations, and seizing evidence, yet they are not currently required to have any uniform training and certification. The Animal Welfare Task Force recommended that the Delaware Division of Public Health Office of Animal Welfare develop and implement statewide training and certification of ACOs and ACAs. This will promote safety of the public, officers and animals, reduce the possibility of having inadequately trained officers carrying out law enforcement duties, and enhance consistency in service among agencies. This Act is based upon those recommendations. This Act does not change the animal cruelty standards or investigative authority currently in the Delaware Code. This Act becomes effective upon final publication of the regulations by the Department of Health and Social Services.
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