STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
4248
2021-2022 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 3, 2021
___________
Introduced by Sen. SKOUFIS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Judiciary
AN ACT to amend the domestic relations law, in relation to requiring the
court to consider the best interest of a companion animal when award-
ing possession in a divorce or separation proceeding
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Subparagraphs 14 and 15 of paragraph d of subdivision 5 of
2 part B of section 236 of the domestic relations law, as amended by
3 section 1 of part PP of chapter 55 of the laws of 2020, are amended to
4 read as follows:
5 (14) whether either party has committed an act or acts of domestic
6 violence, as described in subdivision one of section four hundred
7 fifty-nine-a of the social services law, against the other party and the
8 nature, extent, duration and impact of such act or acts; [and]
9 (15) in awarding the possession of a companion animal, the court shall
10 consider the best interest of such animal. "Companion animal", as used
11 in this subparagraph, shall have the same meaning as in subdivision five
12 of section three hundred fifty of the agriculture and markets law; and
13 (16) any other factor which the court shall expressly find to be just
14 and proper.
15 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07677-01-1
