New Jersey bill A310 would authorize Division of Children Protection and Permanency employees who investigate child abuse and neglect to report suspected animal cruelty to humane law enforcement officers and other authorized parties. The bill is a carryover from the previous legislative session. The bill was referred to the Assembly Committee on Commerce, Economic Development and Agriculture.
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New Jersey Bill Would Establish Grant Program for Domestic Violence Shelters to House Companion Animals with Owners
New Jersey Assembly Bill 5907 would establish a $1 million grant program to provide awards of up to $50,000 per domestic violence shelter “to allow the pets of victims of domestic violence to reside concurrently with their owners within [the] shelters” and to help subsidize the costs of food, supplies, and veterinary care for “domesticated animals.” The bill was referred to the Assembly Human Services Committee but did not advance out of committee before the expiration of the legislative session.
New York Bill Would Require Investigation of Accused Animal Abusers for Potential Associated Domestic Violence
New York S.7812 would require the Office of Children and Family Services (“Office”) to “log and investigate” individuals who have been accused of crimes against animals for potential associated domestic or family violence and would direct coordination and information sharing between the Office and law enforcement. If enacted, the legislation would be known as “Bella’s Law.” The bill has been referred to the Senate Rules Committee.
Delaware Law Enacted to Protect Animals in Domestic Violence Cases
Governor John Carney signed Senate Bill 70, which amends the definition of domestic abuse to include cruelty or threats towards a companion animal.
Delaware Law Enacted to Require and Protect Reporting of Suspected Animal Cruelty
Governor John Carney signed Senate Bill 71, which provides civil and criminal immunity to people who, in good faith, report suspected animal cruelty. Senate Bill 71 imposes an additional affirmative obligation on law-enforcement agencies, the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families, and the Department of Justice to report suspected animal cruelty to the Office of Animal Welfare if it is discovered in the course of investigating child welfare cases.
New York Bill Would Amend Social Services Law to Establish Reporting Requirements for Suspected Animal Cruelty
New York Senate Bill 5947 would establish procedures for social services workers to report acts of suspected animal cruelty. The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Children and Families.
Rhode Island Bill Would Include Acts of Animal Cruelty in the Definition of Domestic Violence
Rhode Island Senate Bill 813 would amend existing definitions of “domestic violence” to include cruelty and abandonment of animals. The bill has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Rhode Island Bill Would Include Animal Cruelty or Abandonment in the Definition of Domestic Violence
Rhode Island House Bill 5919 would include animal cruelty or abandonment of animals in the definition of domestic violence. The bill has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee.
Illinois Bill Would Define Intimate Partner Abuse to Include Harm or Threat of Harm to Companion Animals
Illinois House Bill 3294 would amend the state’s domestic violence laws to define abuse to include abuse or threat of abuse of a companion animal. The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Rules.
Rhode Island Bill Would Set Criteria for Companion Animal Custody Determinations
Rhode Island House Bill 5705 would recognize pets as “much more than mere property” and would set factors for courts to determine the ownership of an animal between formerly cohabitating parties. The bill has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee.