Bill > SB174

This bill establishes an animal abuse offender list to be maintained by the Office of Animal Welfare, which will be publicly accessible on their website. The list will include detailed information about adults convicted of specific animal abuse offenses, such as bestiality, animal cruelty, unlawful trade in animal byproducts, and animal fighting, with the goal of helping the public and animal agencies identify individuals who may pose a risk to animal welfare. The list will include the individual's name, date of birth, and a booking photograph, but will exclude sensitive personal identifiers like social security numbers. Convicted individuals will remain on the list for five years (misdemeanors) or fifteen years (felonies), with the possibility of early removal through a court petition after two years (misdemeanors) or seven years (felonies). The bill also prohibits animal shelters from approving pet adoptions to individuals on the animal abuse offender list, requiring shelters to check the list before finalizing any adoption. When considering removal from the list, the court will evaluate factors such as the nature of the original conviction, criminal history, rehabilitation efforts, and potential risk to animals. Additionally, individuals who obtain an expungement of their underlying conviction will be automatically removed from the list.

Health and Social Services

https://legis.delaware.gov/BillDetail?LegislationId=142428