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92_HB2247enr HB2247 Enrolled LRB9208215EGfg 1 AN ACT in relation to fire inspectors. 2 Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, 3 represented in the General Assembly: 4 Section 5. The Peace Officer Fire Investigation Act is 5 amended by changing Section 1 as follows: 6 (20 ILCS 2910/1) (from Ch. 127 1/2, par. 501) 7 Sec. 1. Peace Officer Status. 8 (a) Any person who is a sworn member of any organized 9 and paid fire department of a political subdivision of this 10 State and is authorized to investigate fires or explosions 11 for such political subdivision, or who is employed by the 12 Office of the State Fire Marshal to determine the cause, 13 origin and circumstances of such fires or explosions that are 14 suspected to be arson or arson-related crimes, may be 15 classified as a peace officer by the political subdivision or 16 agency employing such person. A person so classified shall 17 possess the same powers of arrest, search and seizure and the 18 securing and service of warrants as sheriffs of counties, and 19 police officers within the jurisdiction of their political 20 subdivision. While in the actual investigation and matters 21 incident thereto, such person may carry weapons as may be 22 necessary, but only if that person has satisfactorily 23 completed (1) a training program offered or approved by the 24 Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board which 25 substantially conforms to standards promulgated pursuant to 26 the Illinois Police Training Act and "An Act in relation to 27 firearms training for peace officers", approved August 29, 28 1975, as amended; or in the case of employees of the Office 29 of the State Fire Marshal, a training course approved by the 30 Department of State Police which also substantially conforms 31 to standards promulgated pursuant to "An Act in relation to HB2247 Enrolled -2- LRB9208215EGfg 1 firearms training for peace officers", approved August 29, 2 1975, as amended; and (2) a course in fire and arson 3 investigation approved by the Office of the State Fire 4 Marshal pursuant to the Illinois Fire Protection Training 5 Act. Such training need not include exposure to vehicle and 6 traffic law, traffic control and accident investigation, or 7 first aid, but shall include training in the law relating to 8 the rights of persons suspected of involvement in criminal 9 activities. 10 Any person granted the powers enumerated in this Section 11 may exercise such powers only during the actual investigation 12 of the cause, origin and circumstances of such fires or 13 explosions that are suspected to be arson or arson-related 14 crimes. 15 (b) The State Fire Marshal must authorize to each 16 employee of the Office of the State Fire Marshal who is 17 exercising the powers of a peace officer a distinct badge 18 that, on its face, (i) clearly states that the badge is 19 authorized by the Office of the State Fire Marshal and (ii) 20 contains a unique identifying number. No other badge shall 21 be authorized by the Office of the State Fire Marshal, except 22 that a badge, different from the badge issued to peace 23 officers, may be authorized by the Office of the State Fire 24 Marshal for the use of fire prevention inspectors employed by 25 that Office. 26 (Source: P.A. 91-883, eff. 1-1-01.) 27 Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon 28 becoming law.