HB5538 Enrolled LRB096 17719 JDS 33084 b

1     AN ACT concerning State government.
 
2     Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3 represented in the General Assembly:
 
4     Section 5. The Department of Natural Resources
5 (Conservation) Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois
6 is amended by changing Section 805-535 as follows:
 
7     (20 ILCS 805/805-535)  (was 20 ILCS 805/63b2.2)
8     Sec. 805-535. Conservation Police Officers. In addition to
9 the arrest powers prescribed by law, Conservation Police
10 Officers are conservators of the peace and as such have all
11 powers possessed by policemen, except that they may exercise
12 those powers anywhere in this State. Conservation Police
13 Officers acting under the authority of this Section are
14 considered employees of the Department and are subject to its
15 direction, benefits, and legal protection.
16     Any person hired by the Department of Natural Resources
17 after July 1, 2001 for a sworn law enforcement position or
18 position that has arrest authority must meet the following
19 minimum professional standards:
20         (1) At the time of hire, the person must hold (i) a
21     2-year degree and 3 consecutive years of experience as a
22     police officer with the same law enforcement agency or (ii)
23     a 4-year degree.

 

 

HB5538 Enrolled - 2 - LRB096 17719 JDS 33084 b

1         (2) The person must possess the skill level and
2     demonstrate the ability to swim at a competency level
3     approved by the Department in an administrative rule not
4     less than that established by the American Red Cross for
5     skills equivalent to an intermediate level swimmer. The
6     Department's administrative rule must require the person
7     to use techniques established by the American Red Cross.
8         (3) The person must successfully obtain certification
9     as a police officer under the standards in effect at that
10     time unless that person already holds that certification
11     and must also successfully complete the Conservation
12     Police Academy training program, consisting of not less
13     than 400 hours of training, within one year of hire.
14     The Department of Natural Resources must adopt an
15 administrative rule listing those disciplines that qualify as
16 directly related areas of study and must also adopt, by
17 listing, the American Red Cross standards and testing points
18 for a skill level equivalent to an intermediate level swimmer.
19 (Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00; 92-511, eff. 1-1-02.)
 
20     Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
21 becoming law.