Bill
HB 3367
HB 3367 lets courts appoint a special advocate for cat/dog welfare in criminal cases, enabling informed, justice-focused input while keeping animals as property.
HB 3367 – CRIM PRO-SPECIAL ADVOCATES (Illinois)
Overview
- Purpose: Creates a mechanism for court-appointed advocacy in criminal cases involving the injury, health, or safety of a cat or dog. The bill authorizes the appointment of a “special advocate” to assist the court and represent the interests of justice regarding the animal’s welfare.
- Status: Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee. Introduced and re-referred through various committees in early 2025; currently pending in Rules.
What the bill would do
- New Article: Adds Article 113A to the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963.
- Special Advocate appointment: In prosecutions involving a cat or dog, the court may, on its own motion or at the request of any party, appoint a special advocate.
- Eligibility: The advocate must be a licensed attorney in Illinois or a law student authorized to provide services under Supreme Court Rule 711.
- Purpose: To assist the court and represent the interests of justice regarding the health or safety of the cat or dog.
- Advocate powers and duties:
- Monitor the case and attend hearings as needed.
- Consult with individuals who could provide information relevant to the animal’s condition or the defendant’s actions; review records related to the animal’s condition and the defendant’s actions.
- Review records from sources such as animal control officers, veterinarians, and police officers.
- Present information or recommendations to the court related to the interests of justice, with the information basing solely on duties under the provision.
- Limitation on impact: The bill explicitly states that nothing in the act should be construed to alter the legal status of animals as a unique class of personal property.
Who is affected
- Primary beneficiaries: Cats and dogs involved in criminal cases where their injury, health, or safety is at issue.
- Secondary participants: Defendants, prosecutors, defense counsel, the judiciary, animal control personnel, veterinarians, police officers, and law students or licensed attorneys acting as special advocates.
Procedural and timeline notes
- Introduced: February 18, 2025 (with some references stating February 26, 2025 in initial summaries).
- Committee path: Referred to Rules, later assigned to Judiciary - Criminal Committee, with subsequent Rule 19(a) actions indicating ongoing committee review.
- Legislative history elements included: First Reading, multiple committee referrals, and Rule 19(a) proceedings as of the current status.
- Effective date: Not specified in the text; typically would take effect upon enactment and publication, subject to general effective-date rules.
Key takeaway
HB 3367 would create an formal, court-directed role for a special advocate to assist in cases involving the welfare of a cat or dog, broadening the information the court can consider and ensuring animal welfare concerns are addressed within the criminal justice process. The act preserves animals’ status as property and does not redefine that fundamental classification.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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