Illinois § 35-41

§ 35-41.

Requirement of a canine handler authorization card. (a) No person shall perform duties that include the use or handling of a canine to protect persons or property or to conduct investigations without having been issued a valid canine handler authorization card by the Department. An agency may subcontract out its canine odor detection services to another licensed agency or may use the employees of another licensed agency as subcontractors, provided that all employees who provide canine odor detection services in either arrangement are properly registered under this Act and are otherwise in compliance with the requirements of this Section. It is the responsibility of each agency participating in a subcontracting arrangement to ensure compliance with all employees so utilized. (b) No agency shall employ any person to perform the duties for which employee registration is required and allow that person to use or handle a canine to protect persons or property or to conduct investigations unless that person has been issued a canine handler authorization card. (c) The Department shall issue a canine handler authorization card to a person who (i) has passed an approved canine handler training course, (ii) is currently employed by an agency licensed under this Act, and (iii) has met all of the applicable requirements of this Act. Application for the canine handler authorization card shall be made by the employer to the Department on forms provided by the Department. The Department shall forward the card to the employer who shall be responsible for its issuance to the employee. The canine handler authorization card shall be issued by the Department and must identify the person holding it and the name of the canine training facility where the employee received canine handler instruction. (d) The Department may, in addition to any other disciplinary action permitted by this Act, refuse to issue, suspend, or revoke a canine handler authorization card if the applicant or holder has been convicted of any felony or misdemeanor involving cruelty to animals or for a violation of this Act or rules adopted under this Act. (e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, an agency may employ a person in a temporary capacity as a canine handler if each of the following conditions are met: (1) The agency completes in its entirety and submits to the Department an application for a canine handler registration card, including the required fees. (2) The agency exercises due diligence to ensure that the person is qualified under the requirements of the Act to be issued a canine handler registration card. (Source: P.A. 95-613, eff. 9-11-07.)