House bill NO. 941

INTRODUCED BY G. Frazer, T. Welch, C. Keogh, A. Buckley, B. Mitchell, M. Bertoglio, J. Dooling, B. Mercer, J. Carlson, M. Binkley, F. Nave, R. Marshall, E. Buttrey, B. Keenan, J. Read, M. Hopkins, J. Bergstrom, J. Fitzpatrick, C. Sprunger, B. Barker, J. Etchart, D. Harvey, B. Phalen, B. Beard, B. Carter, E. Matthews, M. Caferro

By Request of the ****

A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT ESTABLISHING A DOG OBEDIENCE TRAINING AND SOCIALIZATION PROGRAM AT THE MONTANA STATE PRISON; PROVIDING ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR DOGS AND INMATES; and PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

Section 1. Dog obedience training and socialization program -- eligibility -- administration -- fees. (1) There is a dog obedience training and socialization program at the Montana state prison or any other state-owned or contracted prison facility for the purpose of promoting the well-being of inmates and increasing the adoptability of rescue dogs in the state. The program shall:

(a)        partner with local organizations to source rescue dogs from within the state that are in need of basic obedience training and socialization and that meet the requirements of subsection (3);

(b)        develop and follow policies and procedures that promote and protect the safety of inmates and dogs; and

(c)        engage eligible inmates, under the direction of at least one certified professional dog trainer, in the training and socialization of the rescue dogs using current best practices.

(2)        To be eligible to participate in the program, an inmate must:

(a)        have no record of animal cruelty;

(b)        be in compliance with required treatment; and

(c)        meet any additional requirements prescribed by the department pursuant to subsection (5).

(3)        To be eligible to participate in the program, a dog:

(a)        must have current rabies and bordetella vaccines;

(b)        must be in generally good health;

(c)        may not pose an obvious risk to inmates and other dogs; and

(d)        must meet any additional requirements prescribed by the department pursuant to subsection (5).

(4)        The department may offer the dog obedience training and socialization program to members of the public and may set and charge a fee to a member of the public for the dog obedience training and socialization program.

(5)        The department shall develop policies and procedures for the administration of the program, including eligibility criteria for inmates and dogs.

Section 2. Codification instruction. [Section 1] is intended to be codified as an integral part of Title 2, chapter 15, part 23, and the provisions of Title 2, chapter 15, part 23, apply to [section 1].

Section 3. Effective date. [This act] is effective October 1, 2023.