Authorizes bail for principals charged with aggravated cruelty to animals

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Paula Kay and 1 co-sponsor

Authorizes bail for principals charged with aggravated cruelty to animals, enabling pretrial release under bail rules; enacting clause struck, bill did not pass this session.

ENACTING CLAUSE STRICKEN

Summary of Bill A 1291 — Authorizes bail for principals charged with aggravated cruelty to animals

Overview

Bill A 1291 proposes to authorize bail (pretrial release) for principals charged with aggravated cruelty to animals. Sponsored by Assembly Member Matthew Slater (primary) with Paula Kay as a cosponsor, the measure was introduced on January 9, 2025 and referred to the Codes Committee. The bill has related companion measures in other chambers and prior-session legislation.

Purpose and intent

The core purpose is to modify the pretrial release framework in cases involving aggravated cruelty to animals, by allowing bail for principals charged with such offenses.

The intent appears to align bail decisions for these cases with the broader bail framework, providing the possibility of pretrial release rather than detention, subject to applicable bail rules and conditions.

Key provisions (as described)

Authorization of bail: The bill would authorize courts to grant bail to principals charged with aggravated cruelty to animals.

Scope: Applies specifically to individuals charged with aggravated cruelty to animals (principals). The text provided does not specify additional limitations or conditions, but it would operate within the general bail process established by existing law.

Interaction with existing bail standards: While not detailed in the summary, the bill would interact with current bail determinations, potentially allowing release under standard or revised conditions for these offenses.

Affected parties and impacts

Affected individuals: Principals charged with aggravated cruelty to animals (potential defendants) who would be eligible for bail consideration.

Other stakeholders: Law enforcement, prosecutors, defense counsel, judges, and animal welfare advocates who engage with bail decisions and animal-cruelty prosecutions.

Implications: If enacted, the measure could influence pretrial detention rates in animal-cruelty cases and alter courtroom timelines related to detention hearings and release conditions.

Procedural and timeline notes

Introduced: January 9, 2025.

Legislative route: Referred to Codes (January 9, 2025).

Status: ENACTING CLAUSE STRICKEN as of March 7, 2025 (the same action noted twice on that date). This indicates the bill did not advance to enactment in its current form during this session.

Related measures: A 5820 from a prior session; S 1648 listed as a companion (in the Senate).

Status and outlook

Current status: The enacting clause has been struck, meaning the bill did not become law in this session.

If reintroduced: The same policy concept could be revisited in future sessions, potentially with revisions informed by committee feedback and the companion measures (S 1648) and related prior legislation.