What's happening
This bill prohibits people convicted under "Buster's Law" from owning pets unless a court approves after mental evaluation.
Why it matters
Strengthens protections for animals. By barring those convicted under "Buster's Law" from owning pets without court approval, it aims to prevent repeat animal abuse and safeguard potential companion animals from harm.
Introduces a mental health safeguard. The requirement for psychiatric or psychological testing ensures that only individuals proven to be mentally fit—and unlikely to reoffend—can regain pet ownership rights, reflecting a focus on both public safety and rehabilitation.
Empowers courts with oversight. The bill gives county judges the authority to determine if a convicted individual is capable of humane animal care, adding a layer of judicial discretion and individualized review rather than a blanket lifetime ban.
Impacts future and existing offenders. The prohibition applies to convictions after the bill takes effect, potentially influencing sentencing, parole conditions, and the rehabilitation process for those involved in animal cruelty cases.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Animal Abusers From Pets
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to agriculture
- Referred to agriculture
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.
Ban Animal Abusers From Pets
In Senate Committee · Domestic Animal Welfare · Sponsor James Tedisco
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
987
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 14, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. L. ROSENTHAL -- read once and referred to the Committee on Agriculture
AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to limiting the ownership or possession of companion animals by persons convicted of violating "Buster's Law"
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 353-a of the agriculture and markets law is amended by adding a new subdivision 4 to read as follows:
4. On and after the effective date of this subdivision, no person who is convicted of a violation of this section shall own or possess a companion animal unless and until authorized by a court order issued by a county court judge of his or her county of residence. No such order shall be issued until such convicted person first demonstrates to the court that he or she has undergone psychiatric or psychological testing, the results of which indicate by clear and convincing evidence of his or her capable and sound mental capacity and ability to own and properly care for such an animal in a humane manner.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03890-01-9
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.