Bill

A 2194

Establishes an animal abuser statewide registry

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Deborah Glick

Establishes a statewide registry of individuals convicted of animal abuse, letting law enforcement, shelters, and landlords screen applicants and track compliance to curb cruelty.

REFERRED TO AGRICULTURE

WeVote Research Nonpartisan

Bill Summary · A 2194

Summary of Bill A 2194 — Establishes an Animal Abuser statewide registry

Overview

Bill A 2194 would establish a statewide registry to track individuals convicted of animal abuse or cruelty. Introduced on January 15, 2025 and referred to the Agriculture Committee, the measure is sponsored by primary sponsor Deborah Glick. The bill’s text is not provided here, but the purpose appears to be to create a centralized mechanism to monitor and, potentially, restrict the activities of those found to have harmed animals.

Purpose and intent

Create a formal statewide registry listing individuals convicted of animal abuse or cruelty.
Provide a framework intended to improve animal protection enforcement, accountability, and public safety by enabling access to relevant information for authorities and, possibly, other stakeholders.

Key provisions (as introduced text is not provided)

Note: The specific statutory language and details are not included in the information provided. Based on typical features of animal abuser registries, the bill would likely cover, at a minimum:
- Eligibility for registration: persons convicted of animal cruelty or related offenses (and possibly related juvenile adjudications or repeated offenses).
- Registration requirements: who must register (the convicted individual, potentially the court or probation agency, and designated state agencies), frequency and method of updates (address changes, status updates), and the duration of listing.
- Access and use: whether the registry is accessible to law enforcement, animal welfare agencies, shelters, landlords, veterinary professionals, or the general public.
- Penalties for non-compliance: sanctions for failure to register, update information, or comply with registry conditions.
- Removal or expungement: criteria under which an individual might be removed from the registry or have restrictions eased (rehabilitation, completed terms, or other court-directed outcomes).
- Administration and funding: which agency would maintain the registry, reporting requirements, and any funding provisions.
- Privacy and due process: considerations to balance public safety with individual rights.

Affected parties

Individuals convicted of animal abuse or cruelty who would be subject to registration.
Law enforcement and public safety agencies that would access the registry.
Animal welfare organizations, shelters, and rescues that may rely on registry information for intake decisions or outreach.
Employers, landlords, and veterinary professionals who might use registry data for screening and compliance.
Courts and probation/parole systems responsible for implementing registration and monitoring requirements.

Legislative status and timeline

Introduced: January 15, 2025.
Status: Referred to Agriculture (as of the information provided).
Legislative actions show two identical entries on the same date (2025-01-15), both indicating referral to the Agriculture Committee.
Related bill: A 5809 (prior-session), suggesting a continuing interest in this policy area and potential changes or refinements from prior sessions.

Practical considerations and next steps

Text availability: The exact provisions, definitions, remedies, and timelines will be in the bill’s text. Readers should review the introduced version for precise details.
Implementation questions: How long individuals would remain listed, how the registry would be accessed, and what privacy protections or exemptions exist are key issues to watch.
Process: If advanced by the Agriculture Committee, the bill may move through hearings, potential amendments, and floor votes. Stakeholders (animal welfare groups, legal advocates, housing and veterinary sectors) may weigh in at committee hearings.