Bill > S06919

This bill establishes a nine-member task force to study and recommend ways to improve how animal abuse is investigated and how laws against animal abuse are enforced across the state, aiming for greater uniformity in these processes. The task force members will be appointed by various state officials, including the governor, legislative leaders, and commissioners of the Department of Environmental Conservation and the Department of Health, with appointments made within sixty days of the bill's effective date. All appointees must have expertise related to animals, animal abuse, or investigations, and appointments will be coordinated to ensure representation from across the entire state. The task force will serve for one-year terms, and any vacancies will be filled similarly to original appointments. The task force is required to report its recommendations to the governor and the legislature.