Relates to sentencing for the crime of aggravated cruelty to animals

2025 Regular Session Introduced by William Colton and 2 co-sponsors

A 1116 seeks to change how aggravated cruelty to animals is sentenced, potentially enhancing penalties or clarifying sentencing guidelines.

REFERENCE CHANGED TO AGRICULTURE

Overview

Bill Number: A 1116

Title: Relates to sentencing for the crime of aggravated cruelty to animals

Status: Reference changed to Agriculture (moved from Aging to the Agriculture committee)

Introduced: January 9, 2025

Classification: Bill (proposal)

Sponsors:

Primary: Angelo Santabarbara
Cosponsors: Andrew Hevesi, William Colton

Related Bills (prior sessions): A 8157, A 1531, A 158

Purpose and Intent

The bill focuses on the sentencing framework for the crime of aggravated cruelty to animals. While the exact statutory text is not provided here, the title indicates an intent to modify how the offense is prosecuted and punished, potentially by changing penalties, sentencing guidelines, or related judicial processes for aggravated cruelty to animals.

Key Provisions and Changes (What the bill would do)

The available information confirms only the bill’s subject matter (aggravated cruelty to animals) and its sentencing focus. Specific provisions (e.g., new penalties, maximums, minimums, enhanced sentencing factors, or procedural requirements) are not included in the provided summary.

The bill’s title suggests an emphasis on how courts sentence aggravated cruelty to animals, which could involve:

Enhancing penalties for more severe acts of cruelty
Clarifying what constitutes “aggravated” cruelty
Establishing sentencing ranges or mandatory terms
Aligning sentencing with related animal welfare and agricultural statutes

Note: Without the bill text, exact changes, cross-references, and statutory amendments cannot be enumerated here.

Affected Parties and Impacts

Individuals Convicted or Charged: People accused or convicted of aggravated cruelty to animals could be subject to revised sentencing terms.

Law Enforcement and Prosecutors: May need to apply new sentencing guidelines or enhanced penalties.

Judiciary: Judges would interpret and apply the revised sentencing framework.

Animal Welfare Groups and the Public: Could see stronger protections for animals and potential shifts in deterrence and enforcement.

Agricultural Sector and Related Agencies: The reference change to the Agriculture committee signals a potential alignment with animal welfare considerations relevant to farming, ranching, and related industries.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Introduced: January 9, 2025

Initial Referral: Referred to the Aging Committee on January 9, 2025

Committee Assignment Change: On January 29, 2025, the bill’s reference was changed to the Agriculture Committee (repeated action noted in the legislative log)

The repeated entries suggest a formal reallocation of the bill within the Assembly’s committee structure, which can affect scheduling, hearings, and potential passage.

Next Steps for Interested Readers

Review the full text of A 1116 to understand the proposed statutory changes, if any, including penalties and definitions.

Monitor Committee hearings (Agriculture) for testimony, amendments, and vote outcomes.

Compare with the related prior-session bills (A 8157, A 1531, A 158) to gauge consistency or evolution of the policy approach.

Bill