OH HB278

Transfers approval authority for county humane society agent appointments outside municipal corporations from the probate judge to the board of county commissioners.

Designates county humane societies as political subdivisions of the state and makes their directors, officers, employees, and agents subject to Chapter 102 (Ethics Law) of the Revised Code.

Increases minimum monthly salaries for humane agents: villages from $5 to $25, cities from $20 to $125, and counties from $25 to $150, with automatic $5 increases every five years beginning January 1, 2016.

Requires humane agent applicants to complete a minimum of 20 hours of training on animal cruelty investigation and prosecution, complying with peace officer training commission standards.

Maintains existing authority for Ohio Humane Society to appoint agents in counties without active county humane societies and clarifies that county humane society agents have only specifically granted authority.