Bill
Bill > S849
summary
Introduced
01/09/2024
01/09/2024
In Committee
01/09/2024
01/09/2024
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill provides that any person, may voluntarily and anonymously deliver a domestic companion animal to a shelter, pound, veterinary hospital, or police station in the State, and leave the animal with an employee, veterinarian, or police officer at the facility. The bill provides that the person would not be liable for the care or disposition of the animal. The bill further provides that no employee, veterinarian, or police officer at the shelter, pound, veterinary hospital, or police station, as applicable, may refuse to accept any domestic companion animal. Finally, the bill directs the Commissioner of Health to establish a public education and information program to disseminate the information on the requirements of this bill to every municipality, shelter, pound, veterinary hospital, police station, and public school with students in grades three through 12.
AI Summary
This bill, known as the "New Jersey Safe Haven for Protection of Domestic Companion Animals Act," allows any person to anonymously surrender a pet, referred to as a "domestic companion animal" (meaning a pet kept for companionship, not for business or farming), to designated facilities like shelters, pounds, veterinary hospitals, or police stations, without fear of legal repercussions for the animal's future care or disposition. These facilities are mandated to accept any surrendered animal, and police stations must have an officer present to receive them. The bill also requires these facilities to post information about their operating hours, alternative surrender locations, and a warning against abandoning animals improperly. The Commissioner of Health is tasked with creating a public education program to inform municipalities, animal facilities, and schools (grades 3-12) about these new provisions, including the possibility of a 24-hour hotline and educational materials for students, aiming to provide a safe alternative to animal abandonment.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Economic Growth Committee (on 01/09/2024)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S849 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S1000/849_I1.HTM |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/S1000/849_I1.HTM |
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