TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 23-23-140 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE CERTIFICATION OF CANINE TEAMS.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    Chapter 23, Title 23 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 23-23-140.    (A)    As contained in this section, 'patrol canine team' means a certified officer and a specific canine controlled by his handler working together in the performance of law enforcement or correctional duties.

(B)    The South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy shall verify that a patrol canine team has been certified by a nationally recognized police dog association or similar organization that has obtained its approval.

(C)    To be certified:

(1)    as a tactical patrol canine team, the team must pass the following tests:

(a)    obedience-heel with motion, down and stay while off lead;

(b)    aggression-recall and verbal out in a reasonable amount of time;

(c)    ability to search for the concentration of human odor; and

(d)    for bark and hold dog only, no movement of suspect-dog must come off of the bite and resume a bark and hold position;

(2)    in narcotics detection, the team must pass a test in the detection of marijuana and cocaine;

(3)    in explosives detection, the team must pass a test in the four major odors in each major category of explosives, excluding peroxides;

(4)    in area/buildings, the team must pass a test relating to the search for a concealed person; and

(5)    in locating an article, the team must pass a test relating to the locating of two items with different compositions.

(D)    Bloodhound specific certifications require a sixteen hour minimum curriculum adapted from the current South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy lesson plans. A new handler must complete the course and provide and show a skill-set knowledge base for tracking. In addition a new handler must complete an advance tracking class within one year upon obtaining certification.

(E)    No law enforcement or corrections agency may utilize a patrol canine team after January 1, 2014, unless the team has met all certification requirements."

SECTION    2.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.