An Act amending Title 16 (Counties) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in special powers and duties of counties, providing for other powers and duties of county humane officers.
Summary
HB39 amends Title 16 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to expressly authorize county commissioners to employ a county humane officer. These officers would be empowered to enforce dog control laws under the Dog Law and animal cruelty laws under the Crimes Code. The bill also ties eligibility for employment to existing training and continuing education requirements for humane officers.
In practical terms, the bill creates a clearer statutory basis for counties to use humane officers as local enforcement personnel for animal welfare and dog law violations. It does not create new animal cruelty offenses or dog control standards; rather, it expands county authority and formalizes the role of humane officers within county government.
Impact
The bill would add a new subchapter to Title 16 governing county powers and duties, specifically authorizing counties to hire humane officers and defining their enforcement authority. It would affect county governments, county humane officers, and individuals subject to enforcement of dog control and animal cruelty laws, while relying on existing provisions in the Dog Law and the Crimes Code for the underlying offenses and enforcement scope.
Sentiment
There is no recorded committee transcript or vote history provided, so no direct public debate or roll-call sentiment is available. Based on the bill text, the measure appears administrative and enforcement-oriented, suggesting a generally practical purpose focused on improving local animal law enforcement rather than advancing a controversial policy change.
Contention
No specific points of contention are documented in the provided materials. Potential areas of debate, if raised, would likely concern county staffing costs, the scope of humane officer authority, and whether counties should have discretion to employ these officers or rely on existing enforcement structures. The bill itself, however, is narrowly drafted and does not indicate any explicit opposition or disputed provisions.
In the State System of Higher Education, further providing for definitions and for powers and duties of councils of trustees. Amending Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in employees, further providing for automatic certification.
Establishing the Office of New Pennsylvanians and providing for its powers and duties; establishing the Office of New Pennsylvanians Restricted Account; and establishing the Advisory Committee to Office of New Pennsylvanians and providing for its powers, duties and membership.