Bill
S 8035
Overview: S 8035, "Authorizes courts, upon issuance of an order of protection, to order exclusive care, custody, and control of certain companion animals be granted to the petition
Overview: S 8035, "Authorizes courts, upon issuance of an order of protection, to order exclusive care, custody, and control of certain companion animals be granted to the petitioner", REFERRED TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, Introduced on May 15, 2025.
Purpose and Intent: The purpose of this bill is to provide additional protections for victims of domestic violence by allowing courts to grant them exclusive custody of any companion animals shared with their abuser when issuing an order of protection.
Key Provisions:
- Authorizes courts to include in an order of protection the exclusive care, custody, and control of any companion animal owned, possessed, leased, kept, or held by either the petitioner or the respondent or a minor child residing in the household
- Specifies that the court may order the respondent to stay away from the companion animal and forbid the respondent from taking, transferring, encumbering, concealing, molesting, attacking, striking, threatening, harming, or otherwise disposing of the companion animal
Affected Parties and Impacts: This bill would primarily impact victims of domestic violence who share ownership or custody of companion animals with their abusers. Granting the petitioner exclusive control over these animals would help protect them from further abuse and provide additional support for the victim.
Procedural and Timeline Considerations: The bill has been referred to the Senate Children and Families Committee for further consideration. If enacted, the new court authority regarding companion animals would take effect immediately upon issuance of an order of protection.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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