Sec. 1. 7 MRSA §3906-B, sub-§4, as amended by PL 1997, c. 690, §2, is further amended to read:

4. Training and certification of animal control officers. The commissioner shall develop a program to train animal control officers. This program must include training in investigation of complaints of cruelty to animals, training in handling and evaluating equines and other large animals, training in response to calls concerning animals suspected of having rabies and training in enforcement of dog licensing laws and rabies immunization laws. The commissioner shall certify all animal control officers who complete the training program.

Sec. 2. 7 MRSA §3906-B, sub-§9, as amended by PL 1995, c. 502, Pt. C, §11, is further amended to read:

9. Employees. The commissioner shall employ personnel, subject to the Civil Service Law, as necessary to assist in enforcing this Part and in carrying out the duties and responsibilities of the department. The commissioner, in consultation with the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee, shall employ, subject to the Civil Service Law, one 3 full-time humane agent agents to assist the commissioner in carrying out the commissioner's duties and responsibilities. The commissioner may not hire as a state humane agent a person who has been convicted of a criminal violation under Title 17, chapter 42 or has been adjudicated of a civil violation for cruelty to animals under chapter 739.

Sec. 3. 7 MRSA §3906-B, sub-§12, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 502, Pt. C, §12, is amended to read:

12. Intermittent agents. The commissioner shall appoint one intermittent humane agents as necessary agent per county to assist the commissioner in carrying out the commissioner's duties and responsibilities. The commissioner shall train and coordinate efforts of intermittent agents. These intermittent agents are unclassified employees whose training, compensation and hours of employment are determined by the commissioner.

Sec. 4. 7 MRSA §3906-B, sub-§15, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 502, Pt. C, §12, is amended to read:

15. Annual report. The commissioner shall report the activities of the commissioner annually by March 1st to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over agricultural matters. This report must include a summary of cases of cruelty to animals investigated by the commissioner, a