14500-14505
CORPORATIONS CODE
SECTION 14500-14505
14500. This title extends to all corporations heretofore formed and
existing for the prevention of cruelty to animals, but does not
extend or apply to any association, society, or corporation that uses
or specifies a name or style of the same, or substantially the same,
as that of any previously existing society or corporation in this
state organized for a like purpose.
14501. Every society, incorporated and organized for the prevention
of cruelty to animals may enter into a contract with any city, or
city and county, or county, where the society is located, to enforce
the provisions of laws of this state for the prevention of cruelty to
animals, or arresting, or prosecuting offenders thereunder or
preventing cruelty to animals. A humane society may perform those
actions in the absence of a contract with a city, city and county, or
county.
14502. (a) (1) (A) (i) On and after July 1, 1996, no entity, other
than a humane society or society for the prevention of cruelty to
animals, shall be eligible to petition for confirmation of an
appointment of any individual as a humane officer, the duty of which
shall be the enforcement of the laws for the prevention of cruelty to
animals.
(ii) On and after July 1, 1996, only a person who meets the
requirements of this section may be appointed as, or perform the
duties of, a humane officer.
(iii) Any person appointed as a humane officer prior to July 1,
1996, may continue to serve as a humane officer until the expiration
of the term of appointment only if the appointing society maintains
records pursuant to subparagraph (B) documenting that both the
appointing society and the humane officer meet the requirements of
this section.
(B) Each humane society or society for the prevention of cruelty
to animals for which an individual is acting as a humane officer
shall maintain complete and accurate records documenting that the
individual has successfully completed all requirements established in
this section and shall make those records available, upon request,
to the superior court, the Attorney General, or any entity duly
authorized to review that information, including the State Humane
Association of California. The records shall include the full name
and address of each humane officer.
(2) The humane society or society for the prevention of cruelty to
animals shall possess insurance of at least one million dollars
($1,000,000) for liability for bodily injury or property damage.
(3) Each appointment of a humane officer shall be by separate
resolution by the board of directors or trustees of the humane
society or society for the prevention of cruelty to animals duly
entered in its minutes. The resolution shall state the full name and
address of the principal office of the appointing society, the full
name of the person so appointed, the fact that he or she is a citizen
of the State of California, that he or she has met the training
requirements set forth in subdivision (h), and whether he or she is
authorized to carry a weapon pursuant to this section. The resolution
shall also designate the number of the badge to be allotted to the
officer, and the date on which the term of office shall expire.
(b) A humane society or a society for the prevention of cruelty to
animals seeking confirmation of a humane officer's appointment shall
comply with each of the following provisions:
(1) Prior to filing a Petition for Order Confirming Appointment of
a Humane Officer under paragraph (3), the humane society or society
for the prevention of cruelty to animals shall submit to the
Department of Justice fingerprint images and related information of
all humane officer applicants for the purposes of obtaining
information as to the existence and content of a record of state
convictions and state arrests and also information as to the
existence and content of a record of state arrests for which the
Department of Justice establishes that the person is free on bail or
on his or her own recognizance pending trial or appeal.
(A) The Department of Justice shall provide a state response to
the humane society or society for the prevention of cruelty to
animals pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (p) of Section 11105
of the Penal Code.
(B) The humane society or society for the prevention of cruelty to
animals shall request from the Department of Justice subsequent
arrest notification service, as provided pursuant to Section 11105.2
of the Penal Code, for persons whose appointments are confirmed as
described in subdivision (c).
(C) The Department of Justice shall charge a fee sufficient to
cover the cost of processing the request described in this paragraph.
(2) Prior to filing a Petition for Order Confirming Appointment of
a Humane Officer under paragraph (3), the humane society or society
for the prevention of cruelty to animals shall serve a copy of the
petition on each of the following:
(A) The police department having jurisdiction in the city in which
the principal office of the appointing society is located.
(B) The sheriff's department having jurisdiction in the county in
which the principal office of the appointing society is located.
(C) The Department of the California Highway Patrol.
(D) The State Humane Association of California.
(E) The Department of Justice.
(3) The humane society or society for the prevention of cruelty to
animals shall file with the superior court in and for the county or
city and county in which the principal office of the humane society
is located a Petition for Order Confirming Appointment of a Humane
Officer, and shall attach to the petition all of the following:
(A) A copy of the resolution appointing the person, duly certified
to be correct by the president and secretary of the society and
attested by its seal.
(B) A copy of the criminal record offender information, if any,
obtained regarding the person pursuant to paragraph (1).
(C) Proof of the society's proper incorporation in compliance with
Part 9 (commencing with Section 10400) of Division 2, including the
date the articles of incorporation were filed with the Secretary of
State.
(D) A copy of the society's liability insurance policy for bodily
injury or property damage in the amount of at least one million
dollars ($1,000,000).
(E) Documentation establishing that the appointee has
satisfactorily completed the training requirements set forth in this
section.
(F) Documentation establishing that the society has a written
agreement with another entity, such as a public or private animal
shelter or licensed veterinary clinic, that (i) provides for the
humane care and treatment of any animals seized by the society, (ii)
is capable of preserving evidence that may be used to prosecute an
animal cruelty case, and (iii) is compliant with all applicable
federal, state, and local laws, including licensing laws.
Alternatively, the society may provide documentation that it is
operating its own animal shelter that meets the requirements of
clauses (i), (ii), and (iii).
(G) If the society has not previously appointed a humane officer:
(i) An affidavit signed under penalty of perjury from the
president of the society that demonstrates the society's competence
to appoint a humane officer by providing information, including, but
not limited to, the following:
(I) Partnerships or collaborations, if any, with other nonprofit
or community agencies.
(II) Cash reserve on hand, if any, to pay for veterinary expenses,
housing, food, and care of seized animals.
(III) Established donor base, if any.
(IV) Current or prior law enforcement, legal, or other relevant
experience, if any, of persons who will supervise the appointee.
(V) Current or prior experience of managers, if any, in operating
a society or other nonprofit organization.
(VI) Statement that each board member is in good standing in the
community and has not been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony
involving animals.
(VII) Ongoing training beyond the minimum required for appointment
of the humane officer, if any.
(VIII) The need for a humane officer in the society's county.
(IX) Any other documentation demonstrating compliance with
applicable federal, state, or local laws.
(ii) Affidavits, if any, from personnel of local animal control
agencies, law enforcement agencies, or other societies pertaining to
the appointee's fitness to act as a humane officer.
(H) As the last page, proof of service of a copy of the petition
upon those parties required to be served.
(4) Any party described in paragraph (2) may file an opposition to
the petition described in paragraph (3). All papers filed in
opposition to the petition and in reply to the opposition shall
conform to law and motion pleading requirements, pursuant to Rule
3.1113(d) of the California Rules of Court. An opposition shall not
exceed 15 pages and a reply shall not exceed 10 pages, excluding
exhibits and declarations. The opposition shall be limited to the
competency of the society to appoint and supervise a humane officer
and the qualifications, background, and fitness of the appointee that
are specific to the work of a humane officer.
(A) Any opposition shall be filed no later than 15 court days
after the petition is filed with the court. Any opposition shall be
served on all parties indicated on the proof of service attached to
the petition.
(B) The petitioner's reply, if any, to the opposition shall be
filed within 10 court days after service of the opposition. The reply
shall be served on all parties listed in the proof of service
attached to the petition and to any other person who has filed an
opposition.
(C) The court shall rule on the petition without a hearing unless
the court notifies the parties of an intention to hold a hearing.
(D) The petitioner shall serve a certified copy of the court's
order ruling on the petition on all parties listed in the proof of
service attached to the petition and to any other person or entity
who has filed an opposition.
(c) (1) Upon receipt of the Petition for Order Confirming
Appointment of a Humane Officer, the court shall first determine the
society's date of incorporation, and the length of time between the
date the society filed its articles of incorporation with the
Secretary of State and the date it filed the petition described in
paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) with the court. If the society was
incorporated on or after January 1, 2011, then the following shall
apply:
(A) For a petition to confirm appointment of a level 1 humane
officer, the court shall issue an order denying confirmation of the
appointment if a minimum of five years has not elapsed from the date
the society filed its articles of incorporation with the Secretary of
State to the date it filed the petition.
(B) For a petition to confirm appointment of a level 2 humane
officer, the court shall issue an order denying confirmation of the
appointment if a minimum of one year has not elapsed from the date
the society filed its articles of incorporation with the Secretary of
State to the date it filed the petition.
(C) For a petition to confirm appointment of either a level 1 or
level 2 humane officer, the court shall issue an order denying
confirmation of the appointment if the society has not established,
through submission of appropriate documentation, that the society is
either operating its own animal shelter or has a written agreement
with another entity, in compliance with subparagraph (F) of paragraph
(3) of subdivision (b).
(2) If the court has not issued an order denying the petition
pursuant to paragraph (1), then the court shall review the matter of
the appointee's qualifications and fitness to act as a humane
officer. The court shall also consider any documentation it has
received in support of, or in opposition to, the confirmation of the
person's appointment. If the court finds that the appointee is
qualified and fit to act as a humane officer, the court shall issue
an order confirming the appointment. The society shall thereupon file
a certified copy of the court order in the office of the county
clerk of the county or city and county in which the court is located.
The appointee shall, at the same time, take and subscribe the oath
of office prescribed for constables or other peace officers. The
society shall also provide a copy of the Order Confirming Appointment
to the State Humane Association of California and the Department of
Justice. The Department of Justice may charge a reasonable fee
sufficient to cover the costs of maintaining records of Orders
Confirming Appointment. If the court does not find the appointee
qualified and fit to act as a humane officer, the court shall issue
an order denying confirmation of the appointment.
(d) If the court grants the petition, the county clerk shall
immediately enter in a book to be kept in his or her office and
designated "Record of Humane Officers" the name of the officer, the
name of the society appointing him or her, the number of his or her
badge, the date of the filing, and the case number of the court order
confirming the appointment. At the time of the filing, the county
clerk shall collect from the society a fee of five dollars ($5),
which shall be full payment for all services to be performed by the
county clerk under this section.
(e) All appointments of humane officers shall automatically expire
if the society disbands or legally dissolves.
(f) (1) The society appointing an officer may revoke an
appointment at any time by filing in the office of the county clerk
in which the appointment of the officer is recorded a copy of the
revocation in writing under the letterhead of the society and duly
certified by its executive officer. Upon the filing the county clerk
shall enter the fact of the revocation and the date of the filing
thereof opposite the name of the officer in the record of humane
officers.
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), any duly authorized sheriff or
local police agency or the State Humane Association of California may
initiate a revocation hearing by filing a petition to Revoke
Appointment of a Humane Officer. The petition shall show cause why an
appointment should be revoked and shall be made to the superior
court in the jurisdiction of the appointment. Filing, service, and
format of the petition and any oppositions and reply papers shall
conform to the law and motion requirements under the Code of Civil
Procedure, California Rules of Court, and this code. A proceeding
pursuant to this paragraph shall be a special proceeding within the
meaning of Section 23 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
(A) Notice of the hearing date and a copy of the petition shall be
served in the same manner as a summons upon the humane officer
subject to the petition, the society that appointed the officer, the
agencies and association described in paragraph (2) of subdivision
(b); except the party filing the petition shall not be required to
serve copies of those documents upon itself.
(B) Upon a finding of good cause, the court shall issue an order
granting the petition to revoke the appointment. The county clerk
shall immediately enter the revocation and the date of the court
order opposite the name of the officer in the record of humane
officers. The clerk of the superior court shall give notice of the
order to the parties described in subparagraph (A) and to the county
clerk-recorder.
(g) The society appointing the humane officer shall pay the
training expenses of the humane officer attending the training
required pursuant to this section.
(h) (1) (A) A level 1 humane officer is not a peace officer, but
may exercise the powers of a peace officer at all places within the
state in order to prevent the perpetration of any act of cruelty upon
any animal and to that end may summon to his or her aid any
bystander. A level 1 humane officer may use reasonable force
necessary to prevent the perpetration of any act of cruelty upon any
animal.
(B) A level 1 humane officer may make arrests for the violation of
any penal law of this state relating to or affecting animals in the
same manner as any peace officer and may serve search warrants.
(C) A level 1 humane officer is authorized to carry firearms while
exercising the duties of a humane officer, upon satisfactory
completion of the training specified in subparagraph (D), if the
requirements in subparagraph (F) are met.
(D) A level 1 humane officer shall, prior to appointment, provide
evidence satisfactory to the appointing society that he or she has
successfully completed the following requirements:
(i) At least 20 hours of a course of training in animal care
sponsored or provided by an accredited postsecondary institution or
any other provider approved by the California Veterinary Medical
Association the focus of which shall be the identification of
disease, injury, and neglect in domestic animals and livestock.
(ii) At least 40 hours of a course of training in the state humane
laws relating to the powers and duties of a humane officer,
sponsored or provided by an accredited postsecondary institution, law
enforcement agency, or the State Humane Association of California.
(iii) The basic training for a level 1 reserve officer by the
Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training pursuant to
Section 13510.1 of the Penal Code.
(E) A person shall not be appointed as a level 1 humane officer
until he or she meets the criteria in Sections 1029, 1030, and 1031
of the Government Code. A humane society or society for the
prevention of cruelty to animals shall complete a background
investigation, using standards defined by the Commission on Peace
Officer Standards and Training as guidelines for all level 1 humane
officer appointments.
(F) (i) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a
level 1 humane officer may carry a firearm only if authorized by, and
only under the terms and conditions specified by, his or her
appointing society.
(ii) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a level
1 humane officer shall not be authorized to carry a firearm unless
and until his or her appointing society has adopted a policy on the
use of deadly force by its officers and the officer has been
instructed in that policy.
(2) (A) A level 2 humane officer is not a peace officer, but may
exercise the powers of a peace officer at all places within the state
in order to prevent the perpetration of any act of cruelty upon any
animal and to that end may summon to his or her aid any bystander. A
level 2 humane officer may use reasonable force necessary to prevent
the perpetration of any act of cruelty upon any animal.
(B) A level 2 humane officer may make arrests for the violation of
any penal law of this state relating to or affecting animals in the
same manner as any peace officer and may serve search warrants during
the course and within the scope of appointment, upon the successful
completion of a course relating to the exercise of the police powers
specified in Section 832 of the Penal Code, except the power to carry
and use firearms.
(C) A level 2 humane officer is not authorized to carry firearms.
(D) A level 2 humane officer shall, prior to appointment, provide
evidence satisfactory to the appointing society that he or she has
successfully completed courses of training in the following subjects:
(i) At least 20 hours of a course of training in animal care
sponsored or provided by an accredited postsecondary institution or
any other provider approved by the California Veterinary Medical
Association, the focus of which is the identification of disease,
injury, and neglect in domestic animals and livestock.
(ii) At least 40 hours of a course of training in the state humane
laws relating to the powers and duties of a humane officer,
sponsored or provided by an accredited postsecondary institution, law
enforcement agency, or the State Humane Association of California.
(E) A person shall not be appointed as a level 2 humane officer
until he or she has satisfied the requirements in Sections 1029,
1030, and 1031 of the Government Code. A humane society or society
for the prevention of cruelty to animals shall complete a background
investigation, using standards defined by the Commission on Peace
Officer Standards and Training as guidelines, for all level 2 humane
officer appointments.
(3) During each three-year period following the date on which the
certified copy of the court order confirming the appointment of a
humane officer was filed with the county clerk, the humane officer
shall complete 40 hours of continuing education and training relating
to the powers and duties of a humane officer, which education and
training shall be sponsored or provided by an accredited
postsecondary institution, law enforcement agency, or the State
Humane Association of California. A certificate of compliance shall
be served no later than 21 days after the expiration of each
three-year period on the Department of Justice with copies served on
the superior court, agencies, and associations described in paragraph
(2) of subdivision (b). The Department of Justice may charge a
reasonable fee sufficient to cover the costs of maintaining records
of certificates of compliance. The certificate of compliance shall
also include documentation that the humane society or society for the
prevention of cruelty to animals is in compliance with subparagraph
(F) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (b). Service on the Department of
Justice shall be in compliance with procedures set forth by the
Department of Justice. The Department of Justice shall post the
filing procedures, as they may be updated from time to time, on its
Internet Web site. Failure to file the certificate of compliance with
the Department of Justice no later than 21 days after the expiration
of a six-month period shall result in immediate revocation of the
appointment.
(4) If the humane officer is authorized to carry a firearm, he or
she shall complete ongoing weapons training and range qualifications
at least every six months pursuant to subdivision (t) of Section
830.3 of the Penal Code. A certificate of compliance pursuant to this
section shall be served no later than 21 days after the expiration
of a six-month period on the Department of Justice with copies served
on the superior court, and on the agencies and associations
described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b). The Department of
Justice may charge a reasonable fee sufficient to cover the costs of
maintaining records of certificates of compliance. The certificate of
compliance shall also include documentation that the humane society
or society for the prevention of cruelty to animals is in compliance
with subparagraph (F) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (b). Service on
the Department of Justice shall be in compliance with procedures set
forth by the Department of Justice. The Department of Justice shall
post the filing procedures, as they may be updated from time to time,
on its Internet Web site. Failure to file the certificate of
compliance with the Department of Justice no later than 21 days after
the expiration of a six-month period shall result in immediate
revocation of the appointment.
(i) Every humane officer shall, when making an arrest, exhibit and
expose a suitable badge to be adopted by the society under this part
of which he or she is an appointee which shall bear its name and a
number. Uniforms worn by humane officers shall prominently display
the name of the appointing society. Humane officer uniforms shall not
display the words "state" or "California," except to the extent that
one or both of those words are part of the appointing society's
incorporated name.
(j) Any person resisting a humane officer in the performance of
his or her duty as provided in this section is guilty of a
misdemeanor. Any person who has not been appointed and qualified as a
humane officer as provided in this section, or whose appointment has
been revoked as provided in this section, or whose appointment,
having expired, has not been renewed as provided in this section, who
shall represent himself or herself to be or shall attempt to act as
an officer shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
(k) No humane officer shall serve a search warrant without
providing prior notice to local law enforcement agencies operating
within that jurisdiction.
(l) Any humane society, society for the prevention of cruelty to
animals, or person, who knowingly provides a court with false or
forged documentation for the appointment of a humane officer, is
guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of up to ten
thousand dollars ($10,000).
(m) Except as otherwise provided by this section, a humane officer
shall serve only in the county in which the court that appointed him
or her sits. A humane officer may serve in another county if the
humane officer gives notice requesting consent to the sheriff of the
county in which he or she intends to serve, and acquires consent from
that sheriff of the county in which he or she intends to serve, or
from a person authorized by the sheriff to give that consent. A
sheriff shall promptly respond to any request by a humane officer to
serve in his or her jurisdiction and any request shall not be
unreasonably denied.
14503. The governing body of a local agency, by ordinance, may
authorize employees of public pounds, societies for the prevention of
cruelty to animals, and humane societies, who have qualified as
humane officers pursuant to Section 14502, and which societies or
pounds have contracted with such local agency to provide animal care
or protection services, to issue notices to appear in court pursuant
to Chapter 5c (commencing with Section 853.5) of Title 3 of Part 2 of
the Penal Code for violations of state or local animal control laws.
Those employees shall not be authorized to take any person into
custody even though the person to whom the notice is delivered does
not give his or her written promise to appear in court. The authority
of these employees is to be limited to the jurisdiction of the local
agency authorizing the employees.
14504. All humane societies and societies for the prevention of
cruelty to animals, and all humane officers shall be in full
compliance with Section 14502 on or before January 1, 2012.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, a level 1 or level
2 humane officer confirmed prior to January 1, 2012, shall not be
required to seek a new court order confirming his or her appointment.
However, a level 2 humane officer shall provide proof of compliance
with subparagraph (E) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (h) of Section
14502 by filing a certificate of compliance with the Department of
Justice on or before January 1, 2012, or that humane officer's
appointment shall be immediately revoked.
14505. Any law enforcement agency that is requested to provide
summary criminal history information pursuant to Section 13300 of the
Penal Code may charge the humane society or society for the
prevention of cruelty to animals a fee not to exceed the reasonable
costs of preparing reports and costs to maintain certificates of
compliance as required by Section 14502.