diff --git a/bashbot.rc b/bashbot.rc
index 693880e..c27fb1b 100755
--- a/bashbot.rc
+++ b/bashbot.rc
@@ -1,12 +1,11 @@
 #!/bin/sh
 # description: Start or stop telegram-bash-bot
 #
-# example service script to run bashbot in background
-# may or may not work on your system
+# example service script to run bashbot in background as specified user
 #
-# tested on: ubuntu, opensuse
+# tested on: ubuntu, opensuse, debian
 #
-#### $$VERSION$$ v1.2-0-gc50499c
+#### $$VERSION$$ v1.2-1-gd30a700
 # shellcheck disable=SC2009
 # shellcheck disable=SC2181
 
diff --git a/bashbot.sh b/bashbot.sh
index dd7ea9c..d17b5b9 100755
--- a/bashbot.sh
+++ b/bashbot.sh
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 # This file is public domain in the USA and all free countries.
 # Elsewhere, consider it to be WTFPLv2. (wtfpl.net/txt/copying)
 #
-#### $$VERSION$$ v1.2-0-gc50499c
+#### $$VERSION$$ v1.2-1-gd30a700
 #
 # Exit Codes:
 # - 0 success (hopefully)
@@ -607,7 +607,15 @@ title2Json(){
 
 # get bot name
 getBotName() {
-	getJson "$ME_URL"  | "${JSONSHFILE}" -b -n 2>/dev/null | JsonGetString '"result","username"'
+	local response
+	declare -A BOTARRAY
+	response="$(getJson "$ME_URL"  | "${JSONSHFILE}" -b -n 2>/dev/null)"
+	Json2Array 'BOTARRAY' <<<"${response}"
+	[[ -z "${response}" || -z "${BOTARRAY["result","username"]}" ]] && return 1
+	# save botname and id
+	setConfigKey "botname" "${BOTARRAY["result","username"]}"
+	setConfigKey "botid" "${BOTARRAY["result","id"]}"
+	echo "${BOTARRAY["result","username"]}"
 }
 
 # pure bash implementation, done by KayM (@gnadelwartz)
diff --git a/dev/hooks/pre-commit.sh b/dev/hooks/pre-commit.sh
index e1bf28f..fb8d8a9 100755
--- a/dev/hooks/pre-commit.sh
+++ b/dev/hooks/pre-commit.sh
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env bash
-#### $$VERSION$$ v1.2-0-gc50499c
+#### $$VERSION$$ v1.2-1-gd30a700
 
 ############
 # NOTE: you MUST run install-hooks.sh again when updating this file!
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ fi
 
 # run shellcheck before commit
 set +f
-FILES="$(find ./* -name '*.sh' | grep -v 'DIST\/' | grep -v 'STANDALONE\/')"
+FILES="$(find ./* -name '*.sh' | grep -v -e 'DIST\/' -e 'STANDALONE\/' -e 'JSON.sh')"
 set -f
 FILES="${FILES} $(sed '/^#/d' <"dev/shellcheck.files")"
 if [ "$FILES" != "" ]; then
diff --git a/doc/6_reference.md b/doc/6_reference.md
index 3947dcc..1717c76 100644
--- a/doc/6_reference.md
+++ b/doc/6_reference.md
@@ -244,6 +244,19 @@ fi
 
 The following functions are bashbot only and not part of the Telegram API. 
 
+##### bot_is_admin
+Return true (0) if bot is admin or creator of given chat.
+ 
+*usage:* bot_is_admin "${CHAT[ID]}"
+
+
+*example:* 
+```bash
+if bot_is_admin "${CHAT[ID]}"; then 
+  send_markdown_message "${CHAT[ID]}" "*I'm admin...*"
+fi
+```
+
 ##### user_is_botadmin
 Return true (0) if user is admin of bot, user id if botadmin is read from file './botadmin'.
 
@@ -253,7 +266,7 @@ Return true (0) if user is admin of bot, user id if botadmin is read from file '
 
 *example:* 
 ```bash
- _is_botadmin && send_markdown_message "${CHAT[ID]}" "You are *BOTADMIN*."
+user_is_botadmin "${CHAT[ID]}" && send_markdown_message "${CHAT[ID]}" "You are *BOTADMIN*."
 ```
 
 ##### user_is_creator
@@ -272,7 +285,7 @@ Return true (0) if user is admin or creator of given chat.
 
 *example:* 
 ```bash
-if _is_admin ; then 
+if user_is_admin "${CHAT[ID]}" ; then 
   send_markdown_message "${CHAT[ID]}" "*LEAVING CHAT...*"
   leave_chat "${CHAT[ID]}"
 fi
@@ -1049,5 +1062,5 @@ The name of your bot is available as bash variable "$ME", there is no need to ca
 #### [Prev Best Practice](5_practice.md)
 #### [Next Notes for Developers](7_develop.md)
 
-#### $$VERSION$$ v1.2-0-gc50499c
+#### $$VERSION$$ v1.2-1-gd30a700
 
diff --git a/modules/chatMember.sh b/modules/chatMember.sh
index 85a7e4c..06a6306 100644
--- a/modules/chatMember.sh
+++ b/modules/chatMember.sh
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 # This file is public domain in the USA and all free countries.
 # Elsewhere, consider it to be WTFPLv2. (wtfpl.net/txt/copying)
 #
-#### $$VERSION$$ v1.2-0-gc50499c
+#### $$VERSION$$ v1.2-1-gd30a700
 
 # will be automatically sourced from bashbot
 
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ UNBAN_URL=$URL'/unbanChatMember'
 GETMEMBER_URL=$URL'/getChatMember'
 
 # usage: status="$(get_chat_member_status "chat" "user")"
+# $1 chat # $2 user
 get_chat_member_status() {
 	sendJson "$1" '"user_id":'"$2"'' "$GETMEMBER_URL"
 	# shellcheck disable=SC2154
@@ -42,6 +43,13 @@ user_is_creator() {
 	return 1 
 }
 
+# $1 chat
+bot_is_admin() {
+	[ "${2:-+}" ] && return 0
+	user_is_admin "$2" "$(getConfigKey "botid")"
+}
+
+# $1 chat # $2 user
 user_is_admin() {
 	[ "${1:--}" == "${2:-+}" ] && return 0
 	user_is_botadmin "$2" && return 0
@@ -50,6 +58,7 @@ user_is_admin() {
 	return 1 
 }
 
+# $1 user
 user_is_botadmin() {
 	local admin; admin="$(getConfigKey "botadmin")"; [ -z "${admin}" ] && return 1
 	[[ "${admin}" == "${1}" || "${admin}" == "${2}" ]] && return 0
@@ -58,6 +67,7 @@ user_is_botadmin() {
 	return 1
 }
 
+# $1 user # $2 key # $3 chat
 user_is_allowed() {
 	[ -z "$1" ] && return 1
 	# user can do everything
diff --git a/mycommands.sh b/mycommands.sh
index 7112314..236e717 100644
--- a/mycommands.sh
+++ b/mycommands.sh
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
 # #### mycommands.clean
 #
 # shellcheck disable=SC1117
-#### $$VERSION$$ v1.2-0-gc50499c
+#### $$VERSION$$ v1.2-1-gd30a700
 #
 
 # uncomment the following lines to overwrite info and help messages
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ else
 			MESSAGE="${MESSAGE#/* }"
 			;;
 		'/_new_chat_member'*)
-			if [[ -n "${WELCOME_NEWMEMBER}" && "${NEWMEMBER[ISBOT]}" != "true" ]]; then
+			if [[ -n "${WELCOME_NEWMEMBER}" && "${NEWMEMBER[ISBOT]}" != "true" ]] && bot_is_admin "${CHAT[ID]}"; then
 			    send_normal_message "${CHAT[ID]}"\
 				"${WELCOME_MSG} ${NEWMEMBER[FIRST_NAME]} ${NEWMEMBER[LAST_NAME]} (@${NEWMEMBER[USERNAME]})"
 			    MYSENTID="${BOTSENT[ID]}"