Bill > A3250

This bill establishes a new animal cruelty offense called "cruel confinement of a gestating sow," which applies to owners or operators of farms who confine pregnant pigs, known as gestating sows, in a way that prevents them from freely turning around, lying down, standing up, or fully extending their limbs. This prohibition does not apply to the use of farrowing crates, which are enclosures designed to protect piglets during birth and nursing, nor does it apply to specific temporary situations like medical research, veterinary procedures, transportation, exhibitions, temporary animal husbandry for up to eight hours, humane slaughter, or the ten days prior to a sow giving birth. The bill defines key terms such as "crate," "farm," "gestating sow," and "turn around freely" to clarify the scope of the new offense. Violating this provision is classified as a disorderly persons offense, punishable by a fine of $250 to $1,000 or imprisonment for up to six months, with each sow subjected to cruel confinement counting as a separate offense. The bill also amends existing law (R.S.4:22-26) to include this new offense and its associated penalties, specifying that it will take effect on December 31, 2018.