Bill > H1395

This bill creates a new criminal offense called "subjecting a child to animal cruelty" that makes it a third-degree felony for an adult to commit specific animal cruelty acts in the presence of a child or to cause or entice a child to commit such acts. The specific animal cruelty offenses referenced include torturing an animal with intent to inflict intense pain or serious injury, fighting or baiting animals, and sexual activities involving animals. By making these actions a felony when committed in front of or involving a child, the bill aims to protect children from exposure to extreme animal abuse and prevent the potential psychological harm or normalization of such violent behavior. The bill also updates the state's Criminal Punishment Code offense severity ranking chart to include the new animal cruelty offense at the third-degree felony level, which means it will be considered in sentencing calculations. The new law is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, giving law enforcement and judicial systems time to prepare for its implementation.