A03158 Summary:
| BILL NO | A03158 |
| SAME AS | No Same As |
| SPONSOR | Rosenthal |
| COSPNSR | |
| MLTSPNSR | |
| Amd §§351 & 353-a, Ag & Mkts L | |
| Requires the court to require a mental health evaluation when a person is convicted of certain crimes pertaining to animal fighting and aggravated cruelty to animals; requires the convicted person to assume the costs of any evaluation and continued therapy; makes related provisions. | |
A03158 Memo:
Go to topNEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY
MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION
submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to requir- ing the court to require a mental health evaluation when a person is convicted of certain crimes pertaining to animal fighting and aggravated cruelty to animals PURPOSE: This legislation will require individuals convicted of certain animal cruelty crimes to undergo mental health evaluations to help rehabilitate offenders and protect from future harm. SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS: Section one amends section 351 of the agriculture and markets law by adding a new subdivision 7. Section two amends section 353-a of the agriculture and markets law by adding a new subdivision 4. Section three establishes the effective date. JUSTIFICATION: Years of studies have identified a strong link between animal cruelty and violence against humans. A 1997 Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Northeastern University study determined that people who harm animals are five times more likely to harm humans. Studies have also shown that many individuals who commit mass shootings or domestic violence also have a history of animal abuse. Animal cruelty crimes must be taken seriously, and offenders must receive the assistance necessary to rehabilitate and to reduce the like- lihood of future violence. Twenty states currently require individuals convicted of animal cruelty to undergo a mental health evaluation, while sixteen other states provide discretion to the courts to order mental health evaluations in cruelty cases when deemed appropriate. These evaluations can help iden- tify underlying trauma and other causes of the individual's violent behavior toward animals and help to rehabilitate them, reducing the likelihood of future violence. However, New York State remains one of the only states without a law regarding mental health screenings follow- ing conviction for an animal cruelty crime. This legislation will protect humans and animals alike by requiring that individuals convicted of aggravated cruelty or animal fighting undergo a mental health evalu- ation by a licensed psychologist or therapist, determining if further counseling is needed and if so, documentation of attendance will be submitted to the court. LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: 2023-24: A.1507 - Referred to Agriculture 2021-22: A.8443 - Referred to Agriculture FISCAL IMPLICATIONS: None to the State. EFFECTIVE DATE: 180 days.