Bill > S01411

This bill amends the New York agriculture and markets law to introduce stricter provisions for animal abuse, specifically focusing on youthful offenders. The bill expands existing animal cruelty statutes by requiring that individuals who torture, cruelly beat, or unjustifiably injure animals undergo a mandatory psychiatric evaluation and potentially enter treatment programs to address behavioral or mental health issues that may contribute to such actions. Importantly, the bill also removes protections for youthful offenders by mandating that court records related to animal abuse offenses remain unsealed and can be used in subsequent prosecutions, effectively eliminating the typical confidentiality granted to young offenders. The legislation maintains existing exceptions for scientific research, hunting, farming, and animal population management, ensuring that legitimate and regulated activities involving animals are not inappropriately criminalized. The bill aims to not only punish animal abuse but also to understand and potentially rehabilitate individuals who commit such offenses, with a particular emphasis on early intervention for younger offenders. The law will take effect on the first of November following its passage.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S1411