What's happening
This bill creates a public registry of people convicted of animal cruelty, restricting their animal ownership and employment involving animals.
Why it matters
Creates a centralized, publicly accessible registry. for individuals convicted under Buster’s Law (animal cruelty offenses), making it easier for the public, law enforcement, and animal-related businesses to identify past offenders.
Imposes strict restrictions on offenders. , prohibiting them from owning companion animals or working at establishments where such animals are present (e.g., shelters, pet stores, zoos), which aims to prevent further abuse and protect animal welfare.
Requires ongoing registration and mental health evaluation. convicted individuals must register annually and cannot be removed from the registry unless a court determines, based on psychiatric or psychological testing, that they are fit to own and care for animals.
Establishes uniform statewide standards. by superseding local laws and regulations about animal cruelty registries, ensuring consistent enforcement and preventing loopholes across municipalities.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Register Animal Abusers' Names
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
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.
Create Animal Abuser Registry
In Assembly Committee · Agriculture · Sponsor Felix Ortiz
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1526
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 15, 2019
Introduced by Sens. TEDISCO, ADDABBO, BOYLE, O'MARA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Agriculture
AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to establishing a public registry for 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. The agriculture and markets law is amended by adding a new section 352 to read as follows:
§ 352. Public animal cruelty register. 1. Any person who is convicted of a violation of section three hundred fifty-one or three hundred fifty-three-a of this article shall register with the division of criminal justice services. Such registration shall be made in a manner and form to be determined by the division of criminal justice services, and shall include, at a minimum, the name and address of such registrant. The division of criminal justice services shall maintain registration information received pursuant to this section in a registry. Such registry shall be in print and in electronic form and shall be available to the public as well as all law enforcement entities, district attorneys, duly incorporated humane societies, societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals, dog or cat protective associations, animal control officers, breeders of animals, animal rescues and pet stores doing business in this state. Any person required to register pursuant to this section shall register annually, or each time such person moves to a new address and shall continue to register until such person receives a court order ordering such registration to cease. No such order shall be issued until such 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 his or her capable and sound mental capacity and ability to own and properly care for an animal in a
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05188-01-9
S. 1526 2
humane manner. Any person required to register pursuant to this section shall not own a companion animal or have employment at an animal shelter, pound, pet store, zoo or other business establishment where companion animals are present. Any person who is convicted of a violation of section three hundred fifty-one or three hundred fifty-three-a of this article shall, in addition to any other penalty or term of imprisonment authorized by law, be subject to a mandatory annual surcharge of fifty dollars which shall be used to pay for costs and expenses associated with establishing and maintaining the registry required by this section.
2. The provisions of this section shall apply to all municipalities, including cities having a population of one million or more, and shall supersede any local law, rule, regulation, code or ordinance regulating the establishment, implementation and enforcement of an animal cruelty or abuser registry.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to estab- lishing a public registry for persons convicted of violating "Buster's Law"
Purpose
To require each violator of "Buster's Law" to register his or her name and address with the division of criminal justice services.
Summary of provisions
Section one - amend the agriculture and markets law by adding a new section 352 to read as follows: Animal cruelty register. Any person who is convicted of a violation of section 351 or three 353a of this article shall register with the department of criminal justice services. Such registration shall be made in a manner and form to be determined by the division of criminal justice services, and shall include, at minimum, the name and address of such registrant. The division of criminal justice services shall maintain registration information received pursu- ant to this section in a registry. Such registry shall be in print and in electronic form and shall be available to all law enforcement enti- ties, district attorneys, duly incorporated humane societies, societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals, dog or cat protective associ- ations, animal control officers, breeders or animals and pet stores doing business in this state. Any person required to register pursuant to this section shall register annually, or each time such person moves to a new address and shall continue to register until such person receives a court order ordering such registration to cease. No such order shall be issued until such 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 his or her capable and sound mental capacity and ability to own and properly care for an animal in a humane manner. Any person required to register pursu- ant to this section shall not own a companion animal or have employment at an animal shelter, pound, pet store, zoo or other business establish- ment where companion animals are present. Any person who is convicted of a violation of section 351 or 353a of this article shall, in addition to any other penalty or term of imprisonment authorized by law, be subject to a mandatory surcharge of fifty dollars which shall be used to pay for the costs and expenses associated with establishing and maintaining the registry require by this section.
Read the full memo (704 words)
Section one - also states the provisions of this section shall apply to all municipalities, including cities having a population of one million or more, and shall supersede any local law, rule, regulation, code or ordinance regulating the establishment, implementation and enforcement of an animal cruelty or abuser registry.
Justification
Unfortunately, animal abuse is a prevalent problem in our society. As there are laws to protect children and the elderly from abuse, it is important to extend this means of protection to animals as well. Much like Megan's Law was designed to prevent sex offenders from repeating crimes against children, this legislation will serve to prevent animal abusers from committing repeat offenses. The animal abusers registry will contain the names and addresses of persons convicted of violating Buster's Law in New York State. By maintaining the registry with current information and providing easy accessibility to the public, those involved in the sale or adoption of animals can refer to the registry before allowing an individual to take ownership of an animal. Abuse of animals has also proven to be a gateway to acts of domestic violence.
This bill would not only provide increased protection to animals, but would also establish an organized registry of persons who may be more inclined to inflict violent behavior on a human.
Legislative history
01/30/15: S.2935 REFERRED TO AGRICULTURE
04/22/15: S.2935 REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE
05/27/15: S.2935 1ST REPORT CAL.906
05/28/15: S.2935 2ND REPORT CAL.
06/01/15: S.2935 ADVANCED TO THIRD READING
06/25/15: S.2935 COMMITTED TO RULES
01/06/16: S.2935 REFERRED TO AGRICULTURE
05/10/16: S.2935 REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE
02/07/17: S.4273 REFERRED TO AGRICULTURE
01/03/18: S.4273 REFERRED TO AGRICULTURE
06/05/18: S.4273 REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO RULES
Fiscal implications
Minimal
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall become law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.