SB370: (2nd New Title) relative to the powers of the state veterinarian.

CHAPTER 240

SB 370-FN – FINAL VERSION

02/15/12 0703s

15May2012… 2119h

06/06/12 2414CofC

2012 SESSION

12-2976

08/10

SENATE BILL 370-FN

AN ACT relative to the powers of the state veterinarian.

SPONSORS: Sen. Odell, Dist 8; Sen. Carson, Dist 14; Rep. Bettencourt, Rock 4; Rep. Cooney, Graf 7; Rep. Gile, Merr 10

COMMITTEE: Executive Departments and Administration

AMENDED ANALYSIS

This bill provides for powers of the state veterinarian.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

02/15/12 0703s

15May2012… 2119h

06/06/12 2414CofC

12-2976

08/10

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twelve

AN ACT relative to the powers of the state veterinarian.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

240:1 Powers of Law Enforcement and Animal Control Officers. Amend RSA 436:8 to read as follows:

436:8 Powers. The state veterinarian, under the direction of the commissioner, shall have all of the powers of the commissioner and shall have general charge of the enforcement of this chapter[, and shall devote his or her entire time and attention to the duties of his or her office]. Complaints under RSA 644:8, 644:8-a, 644:8-aa and any other law pertaining to the abuse of domestic animals, as defined under RSA 436:1, shall initially be filed with the local law enforcement agency, animal control officer, state police, or sheriff which has jurisdiction over where the animal is located or kept. At the request of the local law enforcement agency, animal control officer, state police, or sheriff, the state veterinarian shall assist in a secondary capacity in enforcing the provisions of and investigating said complaints. In the event the commissioner becomes incapacitated or a vacancy occurs in the office, the state veterinarian shall perform all the duties of that office during any such incapacity or until any such vacancy is filled. The commissioner may direct the state veterinarian to act for him or her in an official capacity whenever he or she may be absent from his or her duties.

240:2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.

Approved: June 18, 2012

Effective Date: June 18, 2012