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Bill

A 1698

Requires municipal employees to attempt to identify and notify the owners of a deceased dog or cat recovered on public roads

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Marianne Buttenschon and 3 co-sponsors

Bill A 1698 requires municipal employees to identify and notify owners of deceased dogs and cats found on public roads, promoting responsible pet ownership and providing closure.

AMENDED ON THIRD READING 1698A
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 1698

Summary of Bill A 1698

Bill Overview

  • Bill Number: A 1698
  • Title: Requires municipal employees to attempt to identify and notify the owners of a deceased dog or cat recovered on public roads
  • Status: Amended on Third Reading (Version 1698A)
  • Introduced: January 14, 2025
  • Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

The primary purpose of Bill A 1698 is to establish a protocol for municipal employees regarding the handling of deceased pets, specifically dogs and cats, found on public roads. The bill aims to ensure that efforts are made to identify the owners of these animals and to notify them, thereby promoting responsible pet ownership and providing closure to grieving pet owners.

Key Provisions

  • Identification Efforts: Municipal employees are required to make reasonable attempts to identify the owners of deceased dogs and cats found on public roads.
  • Notification Requirement: Once the owner is identified, municipal employees must notify them about the recovery of their deceased pet.
  • Implementation Guidelines: The bill may include guidelines on how municipal employees should conduct these identification efforts, although specific details are not provided in the summary.

Affected Parties

  • Municipal Employees: The bill directly impacts the responsibilities of municipal workers, particularly those involved in animal control and public safety.
  • Pet Owners: The legislation is designed to benefit pet owners who may be distressed by the loss of their pets, providing them with the opportunity to retrieve their deceased animals.
  • Local Governments: Municipalities will need to implement procedures and possibly allocate resources to comply with the new requirements.

Legislative Timeline

  • January 14, 2025: Bill introduced and referred to the Agriculture Committee.
  • May 20, 2025: Reported and referred to the Codes Committee.
  • June 5, 2025: Reported and referred to the Rules Committee.
  • June 6, 2025: Reported, ordered to third reading, and amended on third reading (Version 1698A).

Related Legislation

  • A 6239: A related bill from a prior session that may address similar issues regarding animal welfare.
  • S 6573: A companion bill in the Senate that likely mirrors the provisions of A 1698.

Conclusion

Bill A 1698 represents a significant step towards enhancing the welfare of pets and their owners by ensuring that deceased animals found on public roads are handled with care and respect. By mandating identification and notification processes, the bill seeks to alleviate the distress experienced by pet owners during a difficult time.

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

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