Bill > A01291

This bill amends the New York Criminal Procedure Law to allow bail for individuals charged with aggravated cruelty to animals, which is defined in section 353-a of the Agriculture and Markets Law. Specifically, the bill modifies three sections of the criminal procedure law (510.10, 530.20, and 530.40) to add aggravated cruelty to animals as a category of offense for which bail can be set. Previously, these sections of law did not include animal cruelty offenses, which meant that individuals charged with such crimes might have been automatically detained without the option of bail. By adding this provision, the bill ensures that defendants charged with aggravated animal cruelty will have the opportunity to be released on bail, similar to other specified offenses like criminal weapon possession and firearm sales to minors. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage, allowing for immediate implementation of the new bail provisions for animal cruelty cases.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A1291