Bill > H4055

This bill establishes an "Animal Protection Fund" funded by a $0.05 per pound charge on pet food purchases, with stores collecting and remitting this fee quarterly to the state treasurer, and these funds will be used for creating and maintaining an animal abuse registry website and for local spay and neuter programs, with a small portion allocated for administrative costs. Additionally, the bill creates an "animal abuse registry" where individuals convicted of animal abuse, defined as a continued without a finding or a conviction for violating specific animal cruelty laws, must register for life with local law enforcement, including providing fingerprints, a photograph, and personal details. This registry information, excluding employer details and unrelated criminal history, will be made publicly accessible through an internet website maintained by the criminal bureau, which is part of the attorney general's office, and this public access is intended to help protect animals and ensure public safety, with strict penalties for misuse of this information.