What's happening
This bill requires veterinarians to report suspected animal cruelty and disclose related records to authorities.
Why it matters
Veterinarians would be legally required—not just permitted—to report suspected animal cruelty. , meaning they could face consequences for failing to report cases, which may lead to more consistent identification and intervention in abuse situations.
The bill expands mandatory reporting to include disclosure of medical records. when animal welfare, human safety, or public safety is at risk, potentially increasing transparency and aiding law enforcement and protective agencies in investigations.
By making reporting mandatory, the bill could strengthen the link between veterinary care and animal protection efforts. , ensuring that veterinarians play a more active role in recognizing and addressing cruelty, which could result in earlier detection and prevention of further harm to animals.
The change may also have implications for client-veterinarian confidentiality. , as veterinarians would have less discretion to withhold information in suspected cruelty cases, possibly affecting the trust dynamic with some clients but prioritizing animal welfare and safety.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Vets Must Report Animal Abuse
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to higher education
- Referred to higher education
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Require Vets Report Animal Cruelty
In Senate Committee · Higher Education · Sponsor Phil Boyle
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4904
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 6, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. ROSENTHAL -- read once and referred to the Committee on Higher Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to mandating the reporting of suspected animal cruelty by veterinarians
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraphs (a) and (b) of subdivision 2 of section 6714 of the education law, as added by chapter 653 of the laws of 2003, are amended to read as follows:
(a) When a veterinarian reasonably and in good faith suspects that a companion animal's injury, illness or condition is the result of animal cruelty or a violation of any state or federal law pertaining to the care, treatment, abuse or neglect of a companion animal, the veterinarian [may] shall report the incident and disclose records concerning the companion animal's condition and treatment to the police, duly incorporated society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, peace officer, district attorney's office, animal control officer, department of agriculture and markets, other appropriate government agency, or any agent thereof.
(b) When a veterinarian reasonably believes that disclosure of records as defined in this section, is necessary to protect the health or welfare of a companion animal, a person or the public, the veterinarian [may] shall disclose such records to the police, duly incorporated society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, peace officer, animal control officer, department of agriculture and markets, other appropriate government agency, or any agent thereof.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05143-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.