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S 8228

Designates a society for the prevention of cruelty to animals as a qualified agency for the purpose of allowing access to the division of criminal justice services central data facility

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Monica Martinez

Designates the SPCA as a qualified agency to access the DCJS Central Data Facility, enabling cross-agency data sharing to support animal cruelty investigations with safeguards.

REFERRED TO CODES
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 8228

Bill Summary: S 8228

Bill: S 8228 – Designates a society for the prevention of cruelty to animals as a qualified agency for the purpose of allowing access to the division of criminal justice services central data facility
Status: Referred to Codes (as of May 23, 2025)
Introduced: May 23, 2025
Sponsor: Monica Martinez (primary)
Related Bills: A 8150 (prior-session), A 1609 (companion)

Purpose and intent

S 8228 designates a Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) as a “qualified agency” that would be permitted to access the Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) Central Data Facility. The central aim is to facilitate information sharing to support animal cruelty investigations and enforcement, by allowing the SPCA to access data maintained in the DCJS central data facility.

What the bill would do

  • Adds the SPCA to the list of qualified agencies eligible to access the DCJS Central Data Facility.
  • Enables cross-agency data access to relevant criminal justice information to support animal welfare investigations and related enforcement actions.

Key provisions and changes (as implied by title)

  • Eligibility: SPCA would be recognized as a qualified agency for data access purposes.
  • Data access scope: Access to information housed in DCJS’s Central Data Facility, subject to applicable rules and safeguards.
  • Oversight and compliance: Data access would be governed by existing state laws and DCJS data-sharing requirements, including privacy and security protections (specific provisions would be in the enacted text).

Who it would affect

  • Primary: Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and the DCJS Central Data Facility.
  • Secondary: Law enforcement and animal welfare agencies that rely on DCJS data for investigations; potentially prosecutors and courts reviewing related cases.

Safeguards and considerations

  • Data security and privacy: Access would be limited to data permitted under state CJIS policies and any statutory restrictions.
  • Use restrictions: Data accessed for animal cruelty investigations and enforcement, consistent with applicable laws.
  • Accountability: Compliance with existing audit, training, and misuse-restriction frameworks for CJIS data.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Current status: Referred to Codes on May 23, 2025.
  • Next steps: The bill would move through the Codes committee for consideration, potential amendments, and, if approved, proceed to floor for further action in the Senate and Assembly. If enacted, it would take effect upon signing or as otherwise specified in the final language.

Related context

  • A 8150 (prior-session) and A 1609 (companion) indicate parallel or related proposals in the Assembly, suggesting cross-chapter consideration of expanding access to DCJS data for animal welfare agencies.

This summary provides an objective overview of S 8228’s stated purpose, provisions, and potential impacts based on the bill’s title and summary information.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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