Bill > S1789

Introduced Session

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

Committee Categories

Vin Gopal (D)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Environment and Energy Committee (on 02/28/2022)

Official Document