Bill > A3637

Introduced Session

In addition to any other immunity provided by the "New Jersey Tort Claims Act," or any other law, rule, or regulation, this bill, as amended, provides immunity from civil or criminal liability for any acts or omissions related to breaking into and entering a vehicle and rendering emergency care to a domestic companion animal when: 1) the domestic companion animal has been left unattended in a motor vehicle under inhumane conditions adverse to the health or welfare of the animal; 2) the person breaking into and entering the vehicle reasonably believes that the animal is in immediate danger of bodily injury or death from the circumstances of the inhumane conditions; and 3) prior to entering the motor vehicle the person contacted appropriate rescue personnel to report the circumstances and made a reasonable attempt to locate the owner or operator of the motor vehicle or other person responsible for the animal, unless exigent circumstances warrant foregoing such actions. The bill requires the person to immediately contact appropriate rescue personnel after removing the animal from the vehicle, if none have already been contacted. The bill also requires the appropriate rescue personnel, upon being contacted, to dispatch assistance to the scene of the animal recovery, immediately seek proper veterinary care for the animal as needed, and cause to commence any investigation necessary for a suspected violation of R.S.4:22-17 or R.S.4:22-26 (animal cruelty). The bill defines "appropriate rescue personnel" as a law enforcement officer, a member of a paid, part paid, or volunteer fire department or fire company, or ambulance, emergency, or rescue squad, a certified animal control officer, a municipal humane law enforcement officer, or a humane law enforcement officer of a county society for the prevention of cruelty to animals.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Carol Murphy (D)*,  Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Commerce, Economic Development and Agriculture Committee (on 02/12/2024)

Official Document