No. CS/SB 676
Filed under Criminal Justice.
Animal Welfare; Creating the offense of causing or enticing a minor to commit, or in the presence of a minor committing, animal cruelty; requiring a court to order a minor who commits specified acts of animal cruelty to undergo a psychological evaluation and, if recommended, receive counseling or treatment for a specified time period; requiring the Department of Law Enforcement to post on its website specified information relating to each individual convicted of specified animal cruelty offenses; creating the offense of causing or enticing a minor to commit, or in the presence of a minor committing, fighting or baiting animals; increasing the maximum civil penalty for specified violations of ordinances relating to animal control or cruelty, etc.
Plain English Summary
AI-GENERATEDAdults who commit animal cruelty, animal fighting, or bestiality in the presence of a minor now face a third-degree felony charge. This new penalty applies to anyone 18 or older who causes or entices a minor to commit these acts.
Juvenile courts must order psychological evaluations and counseling for minors who commit animal cruelty. Parents or guardians must pay for this treatment unless the court finds financial hardship, and they can be held in contempt for refusing to comply.
The Department of Law Enforcement must post detailed personal information, including photos and aliases, of individuals convicted of animal cruelty on its website. This public record remains posted for three to ten years depending on the offense severity.
Local governments can now impose civil penalties up to $7,500 for repeat animal control violations. This significantly increases the maximum fine from the previous $500 limit for third or subsequent infractions.
AIRequires juvenile courts to order psychological evaluations and counseling for minors convicted of animal cruelty, with costs paid by parents or the state.
AIRequires the Department of Law Enforcement to post detailed personal information, including photos and aliases, of individuals convicted of animal cruelty offenses.
AIRaises the maximum civil penalty for local animal control or cruelty ordinance violations from $500 to $7,500 for repeat offenders.