Bill > H7194

This bill amends the Domestic Violence Prevention Act to include certain animal cruelty offenses as acts of domestic violence when committed by a family or household member against another. Specifically, it adds unnecessary cruelty to an animal, malicious injury to or killing of an animal, and abandonment of an animal to the list of crimes that constitute domestic violence, alongside existing offenses like assault, vandalism, and stalking. The bill defines "family or household member" broadly to include spouses, relatives, cohabitants, individuals with a child in common, and those in a dating or engagement relationship, with the court determining the nature of such relationships. This expansion aims to recognize the connection between animal abuse and domestic violence, and the bill will become effective immediately upon its passage.

Justice

https://status.rilegislature.gov/