New York Assembly Bill 5780 would require any person charged with enforcing laws prohibiting animal cruelty to make a report when they have reasonable cause to believe that abuse of a child has also occurred, and vice versa.
New York Considers Requiring Animal and Child Abuse Cross-Reporting
New York Bills Would Require Courts to Consider Best Interest of a Companion Animal in Divorce Proceedings
New York Assembly Bill 5775 and Senate Bill 4248 would provide that courts consider “the best interest” of the companion animal when “awarding the possession of a companion animal” in a divorce or separation proceeding.
Rhode Island Considers Allowing Courts to Determine Guardianship of Companion Animals
Rhode Island House Bill 5618 would allow district courts to determine the “ownership” of companion animals when contested in court based on factors relevant to the wellbeing of the animal including, but not limited to, who has paid for the majority of the animal’s care, who cared for the animal on a daily basis, and who can provide the safest and most appropriate living environment for the animal. The bill would also allow the court to grant equitable relief, including temporary restraining orders and preliminary or permanent injunctions, in matters addressing guardianship over companion animals.
Illinois Considers Funding to Ensure Domestic Violence Shelters are Companion Animal Friendly
Illinois House Bill 1907 would establish a grant program to enable domestic violence shelters in counties with a population of 200,000 or more to be equipped to provide shelter assistance to both survivors of intimate partner violence and their companion animals.
Rhode Island Bill Would Mandate Consideration of Animal’s Best Interest in Custody Cases
Rhode Island House Bill 5580 would require consideration of factors related to “the best interest of the animal” when determining guardianship of a companion animal in a divorce or separation proceeding.
Congress Considers Including Data on Animal Abuse in National Clearinghouse for Information Relating to Child Abuse and Neglect
Congress House Bill 763 would amend the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to include data on animal abuse in the national clearinghouse for information relating to child abuse and neglect.
New York Considers Requiring Domestic Violence Investigation of those Accused of Animal Abuse
New York Assembly Bill 3985 would require that the state of New York office of children and family services must investigate any individual who is accused of or investigated for animal cruelty.
New York Considers Allowing Inclusion of Companion Animals in Orders of Protection
New York Senate Bill 3039 would allow a court to issue orders of protection for companion animals
Mississippi Considers Inclusion of Companion Animals in Protective Orders
Mississippi Senate Bill 2091 would allow companion animals to be included in protective orders
New York Considers Criminalizing Sexual Conduct with Animals
New York Assembly Bill 614 proposes to make sexual conduct with an animal a class A misdemeanor and make sexual conduct resulting in the animal’s injury or death a class E felony.