Bill
Bill > S3168
NJ S3168
NJ S3168Includes animal cruelty against victim's animal within definition of domestic violence and other types of abuse; establishes immunity for reporting animal cruelty; mandates reporting of animal cruelty in certain circumstances.
summary
Introduced
11/09/2020
11/09/2020
In Committee
11/09/2020
11/09/2020
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/11/2022
01/11/2022
Introduced Session
2020-2021 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill would require a veterinarian, veterinary technician, or any person who has reasonable cause to believe an animal has been subjected to an act of animal cruelty to report the suspected violation to the appropriate law enforcement officer The bill would also expand the statutory definitions of child and elder abuse, abuse of persons with a disability, and domestic violence to include acts of animal cruelty against animals owned or possessed by the persons affected by these types of abuse. The bill requires any employee responsible to investigate domestic violence and abuse, including certain employees of the Department of Children and Families, caregivers at residential health care facilities, certain employees of the Department of Human Services, Division of Aging, and police officers, to report any suspected animal cruelty to an appropriate law enforcement officer. Finally, the bill provides civil and criminal immunity for a person who, in good faith, reports a suspected animal cruelty violation and a suspected violation of the standards or rules and regulations concerning domestic livestock established pursuant to P.L.1995, c.311 (C.4:22-16.1).
AI Summary
This bill would:
1. Require veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and other persons to report suspected animal cruelty, and provide them with civil and criminal immunity for making such reports in good faith.
2. Expand the definitions of child abuse, elder abuse, abuse of persons with disabilities, and domestic violence to include acts of animal cruelty against animals owned or possessed by the affected persons.
3. Require employees of the Department of Children and Families, Department of Human Services Division of Aging, Division of Developmental Disabilities, and law enforcement officers investigating domestic violence to report suspected animal cruelty, and provide them with civil and criminal immunity for making such reports in good faith.
4. Provide civil and criminal immunity to any person who, in good faith, reports a suspected animal cruelty violation or a suspected violation of the standards or rules and regulations concerning domestic livestock.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Environment and Energy Committee (on 11/09/2020)
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| BillText | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2020/Bills/S3500/3168_I1.HTM |
| Bill | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2020/Bills/S3500/3168_I1.PDF |
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