OH HB267

Establishes a deer sanctuary license program administered by the Ohio Department of Agriculture, allowing persons to raise non-captive white-tailed deer that are not for sale or personal use, with applicants required to establish a veterinarian-client relationship for deer care.

Creates the deer sanctuary fund in the state treasury, funded by license fees, to be used by the Department of Agriculture to administer the sanctuary license program and related rules.

Requires the Chief of the Division of Wildlife to issue wild animal permits allowing persons to rehabilitate deer without a fee, in addition to existing permits for scientific study and educational purposes.

Mandates that law enforcement officers responding to accidents involving injured or deceased deer either provide a certificate of legal ownership for dead deer or determine whether to humanely euthanize injured deer or transfer them to a licensed deer rehabilitator.

Requires the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission to establish training standards for law enforcement officers authorized to enforce wildlife laws regarding humane procedures for euthanizing injured deer, with the Attorney General to adopt and provide such training.