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Bill

S 1804

"Moose's Law"; prohibits persons convicted of animal cruelty offenses from owning animals and from working or volunteering at animal-related enterprises; establishes presumption against pretrial intervention for certain persons.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Renee Burgess and 2 co-sponsors

Permanently bars animal cruelty convicts from owning animals or working in animal industries; restricts their access to pretrial diversion programs in New Jersey.

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Economic Growth Committee
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 1804

Legislative bill overview

S 1804, nicknamed "Moose's Law," would permanently prohibit individuals convicted of animal cruelty from owning animals or working/volunteering at animal-related businesses. The bill also creates a legal presumption against pretrial intervention (a diversion program) for certain animal cruelty offenders, making it harder for them to avoid prosecution through alternative programs.

Why is this important

Animal cruelty convictions currently don't universally restrict future animal ownership or employment in animal care fields, allowing some convicted offenders to continue having access to animals. This bill aims to close that gap and enhance public safety by keeping documented abusers away from vulnerable animals through both ownership restrictions and employment barriers.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of "animal cruelty": The bill's effectiveness depends on how broadly or narrowly "animal cruelty offenses" are defined—minor offenses versus serious felonies could trigger vastly different consequences
  • Pretrial intervention restrictions: Creating presumptions against diversion programs may reduce rehabilitation opportunities and accelerate prosecution, raising due process and proportionality concerns for first-time or less serious offenders
  • Enforcement challenges: Monitoring compliance with ownership bans across multiple jurisdictions and detecting unreported animal ownership would require significant enforcement resources
  • Collateral consequences: Permanent employment bans in animal-related fields (veterinary, shelters, farming, pet care) may be disproportionate for lower-level convictions and complicate rehabilitation

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

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