Bill > H2228

This bill establishes a public registry of animal abusers, requiring individuals over eighteen years old convicted of felony animal cruelty offenses in this state or comparable offenses in other states to register. The registry, maintained by an animal abuser registry board in cooperation with the criminal history systems board, will include the abuser's name, date of birth, current address, place of employment, and details of their conviction. Those residing in the state for more than ten consecutive days must register with their county sheriff within eleven days, and previously registered individuals must re-register within ten days of moving. The sheriff will collect a photograph, fingerprints, and descriptions of distinguishing features, and then notify nearby residences, schools, humane societies, animal shelters, and businesses within a half-mile radius of the abuser's location with their registration information (excluding social security numbers). The State Department of Justice will maintain a central, publicly accessible registry online, by phone, in writing, and in person, with registration records kept for fifteen years, during which time abusers must annually renew their registration. Failure to comply with these registration requirements or providing false information is a felony.