‘Sec. 1. 7 MRSA §3910-C is enacted to read:
§ 3910-C. Possession of animals prohibited for certain persons
1. Possession prohibited. Except as provided in subsection 2, a person convicted of cruelty to animals under Title 17, section 1031 may not own, possess, have on that person's premises or have under that person's control an animal for not less than 5 years from the date of entry of conviction for a Class D crime under Title 17, section 1031 or not less than 15 years from the date of entry of conviction for a Class C crime under Title 17, section 1031. A person who violates this subsection commits a Class D crime.
2. Application for relief. A person subject to subsection 1 may apply to the commissioner for relief from the period of time the person may not own, possess, have on that person's premises or have under that person's control an animal no sooner than one year after entry of conviction for a Class D crime and no sooner than 5 years after entry of conviction for a Class C crime.
A. The commissioner shall schedule a hearing on the application for relief under this subsection within 60 days after the filing of the application. The applicant bears the burden of proof by a preponderance of the evidence that the person:
(1) Does not present a danger to animals;
(2) Has the ability to properly care for an animal; and
(3) Has successfully completed all classes or counseling ordered by a court.
B. The commissioner may reduce the period of time the person may not own, possess or have on the person's premises or have under that person's control an animal by an amount of time determined appropriate by the commissioner.
C. The commissioner may require that the person comply with reasonable and unannounced inspections for a period of time the commissioner determines appropriate by an appropriate government or law enforcement agency for the purpose of ensuring compliance with this section.
D. The commissioner may revoke any reduction in time granted pursuant to paragraph B if the commissioner finds that the person no longer satisfies the conditions of paragraph A, subparagraph (1) or (2). A person whose reduction of time has been revoked may not reapply for a reduction in time.
3. Application for final relief. A person subject to subsection 1 may apply to the commissioner for final relief from the period of time the person may not own, possess, have on the person's premises or have under that person's control an animal no sooner than 5 years after entry of conviction for a Class D crime and no sooner than 15 years after entry of conviction for a Class C crime. The commissioner shall schedule a hearing on the application for final relief within 60 days after the filing of the application. The commissioner may grant final relief if the person meets the conditions under subsection 2, paragraph A, subparagraphs (1) and (2). A person may not reapply for final relief more frequently than every 2 years.
4. Contents. Applications under subsections 2 and 3 must be in a form determined by the commissioner.
5. Filing fee. The commissioner may establish a reasonable filing fee not to exceed $25 to defray costs of processing applications.
6. Rules. The commissioner may adopt rules to implement the provisions of this section. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined by Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.’