SB435 Summary

• Establishes uniform state training and certification for county and municipal animal control officers administered by the Alabama Animal Control Association (AACA).

• Requires animal control officers to complete minimum standards training covering 16 topics including animal handling, civil citations, cruelty investigations, courtroom procedures, and officer safety before certification.

• Allows certified animal control officers to issue civil citations and wear distinctive uniforms and badges; limits authority to carry weapons or make arrests to those certified by APOST (Alabama Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission).

• Mandates the AACA develop and implement the certification curriculum and process within two years of the bill's effective date, with continuing education programs implemented within three years.

• Requires the AACA to report to the Legislature by the tenth day of the 2015 Regular Session with implementation progress and suggested mandatory compliance legislation.