(a)

(1) Every person born on or after January 1, 1969, before hunting, shall possess, in addition to all other licenses and permits required, proof of satisfactory completion of an agency approved hunter education course, except this provision shall not apply to persons under ten (10) years of age accompanied by an adult at least twenty-one (21) years of age.

(2)

(A) The commission is authorized to promulgate rules to create a permit for a fee exempting persons from the hunter education requirements of this section for a twelve-month period, as long as the person possesses all other licenses and permits required, and, if ten (10) years of age or older, the person must be accompanied by a licensed adult at least twenty-one (21) years of age or older, who is hunter-education-certified or otherwise exempt by law.

(B) Effective July 1, 2015, a person who meets the requirements of subdivision (a)(2)(A) may purchase the permit annually for up to three (3) consecutive years.

(3) For the purpose of this section, “accompanied” is defined as being able to take immediate control of the hunting device.

(b) The state board of education is encouraged to develop a section related to hunter education as a part of its safety education curriculum.

(c) This section shall not apply to persons hunting or fishing within the guidelines of § 70-2-204.

(d) As punishment, any person violating this section shall have all hunting privileges suspended and the person's license shall be taken by the arresting officer. Submission of proof of satisfactory completion of an agency approved hunter education course shall entitle a person to the return of that person's license and the restoration of hunting privileges.