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Bill

S 4804

Relates to establishing first responder safety zones

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Addabbo and 4 co-sponsors

Requires animal care facilities to install, maintain video cameras, retain footage 30 days, and allow access to regulators; penalties up to $1,000 per offense.

REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION
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Bill Summary · S 4804

Summary of S 4804

Note: The bill’s stated title references “establishing first responder safety zones,” but the introduced text describes requirements related to animal care facilities and video monitoring. The summary below reflects the introduced content about animal care facilities.

Purpose and intent

  • Establishes requirements for animal care facilities to improve oversight and accountability for actions involving animals.
  • Aims to facilitate regulatory and law-enforcement investigations of animal cruelty, consumer fraud, or other applicable laws by mandating video surveillance and data retention.

Key provisions

1) Definitions
- Animal care facility: Includes kennels, pet shops, shelters or pounds licensed under NJ law; grooming businesses; or any dog daycare/boarding establishment that houses or provides day care for dogs or other domestic pets.
- Video monitoring system: A system of cameras that continuously records activity in covered areas and stores footage for at least 30 days.

2) Obligations for facilities
- Every animal care facility must install and maintain a functioning video monitoring system.
- Cameras must be placed in areas where animals are housed, groomed, or handled by staff; cameras are not required in employee break rooms, restrooms, or administrative offices.
- Facility owners/operators must retain video footage for at least 30 days and provide access to state departments or law enforcement investigating alleged violations.

3) Regulation and penalties
- The Department of Agriculture, with input from the Division of Consumer Affairs, must adopt implementing regulations under the Administrative Procedure Act.
- Civil penalties: up to $500 for a first offense; up to $1,000 for each subsequent offense. Penalties enforced under the Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999, with daily violations treated as separate offenses.
- Jurisdiction for enforcement includes the Superior Court and municipal courts.

4) Effective date
- The act takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Regulatory oversight and enforceability

  • Overseen by: Department of Agriculture (in consultation with the Division of Consumer Affairs).
  • Enforcement mechanism: civil penalties, with established procedures under state law.

Scope and who is affected

  • Affects pet shops, grooming facilities, dog daycare centers, kennels, and shelters/licensed facilities statewide that care for dogs and other domestic pets.
  • Requires compliance from licensed animal care facilities; noncompliance triggers monetary penalties.

Legislative status and timing

  • Introduced: November 6, 2025.
  • Referred to Senate Transportation (status as of the latest data).
  • Related bills and companion measures exist (e.g., A 9104; S 6105, S 1761, S 1391, S 6808).

Sponsors

  • Primary: Christopher Ryan.
  • Co-sponsors: Robert Rolison, William Weber, Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming.

Bottom line

S 4804 would require animal care facilities in New Jersey to install and maintain video surveillance, retain footage for 30 days, and provide access to regulators and law enforcement. Noncompliance could result in civil penalties up to $1,000 per offense, with ongoing violations treated as separate offenses. The measure is currently in the Senate, referred to the Transportation committee, with regulatory implementation to be established by the Department of Agriculture and Division of Consumer Affairs.

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

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