HB 138 Summary

• Requires individuals to complete a minimum of 20 hours of training on animal cruelty investigation and prosecution before being appointed as humane society agents, including instruction on animal husbandry practices.

• Mandates that proof of successful completion of training be signed by both the training organization's chief executive officer and the county humane society head, then approved by the mayor or probate judge.

• Requires humane society agent appointments to be finalized only after proof of training completion is filed with the county recorder, adding a seventh record category to county recorder duties.

• Allows suspension or revocation of an agent's appointment if the agent fails to file required training proof with the county recorder or if the proof contains false or misleading information.

• Establishes that existing agents appointed before the effective date must complete and file required training by specified deadlines to continue serving, or be automatically suspended until proof is filed.