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.
Summary
This bill amends the Agriculture and Markets Law to require courts to order a mental health evaluation for anyone convicted of certain animal-cruelty offenses, specifically crimes related to animal fighting and aggravated cruelty to animals. The evaluation must be performed by a licensed psychologist or therapist selected by the court. If the evaluator determines counseling is warranted, the court must also require mental health counseling for a period set by the provider.
The bill further requires the convicted person to pay for both the evaluation and any ordered counseling. It also directs the court to receive the evaluation results and allows the court to require proof of attendance if counseling is ordered. The measure would take effect 180 days after becoming law, with any necessary implementing rules authorized to be adopted in advance.
Impact
The bill would add a new court-ordered mental health component to sentencing for violations of Agriculture and Markets Law sections 351 and 353-a, which cover animal fighting and aggravated cruelty to animals. It would not change the underlying criminal offenses or penalties directly, but it would create an additional post-conviction requirement tied to those offenses and shift the cost of compliance to the defendant. Courts would gain authority to monitor compliance through evaluation results and attendance documentation.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and available context, the measure appears to be framed as a humane and rehabilitative response to serious animal cruelty offenses. There is no recorded committee debate or vote history in the provided materials, so no formal opposition or support is documented here. The overall tone of the proposal suggests an intent to address potential behavioral or psychological issues associated with animal abuse while also ensuring accountability through court supervision and defendant-paid costs.
Contention
The main potential point of contention is whether mandatory mental health evaluation and counseling should be imposed automatically for these convictions, rather than left to judicial discretion or individualized sentencing. Another possible issue is the requirement that convicted persons bear the full cost of evaluation and treatment, which could be viewed as burdensome for indigent defendants or difficult to enforce. Because no committee transcript or vote record is provided, specific objections or supporters cannot be identified from the available materials.
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.
Increases certain penalties for violating the prohibition of animal fighting and for aggravated cruelty to animals; requires a psychiatric evaluation for defendants convicted of aggravated cruelty to animals.
Increases certain penalties for violating the prohibition of animal fighting and for aggravated cruelty to animals; requires a psychiatric evaluation for defendants convicted of aggravated cruelty to animals.
Increases certain penalties for violating the prohibition of animal fighting and for aggravated cruelty to animals; requires a psychiatric evaluation for defendants convicted of aggravated cruelty to animals.
Increases certain penalties for violating the prohibition of animal fighting and for aggravated cruelty to animals; requires a psychiatric evaluation for defendants convicted of aggravated cruelty to animals.
Requires principals convicted of certain animal cruelty offenses undergo a presentencing forensic psychological evaluation and a report be submitted to the court based on such evaluation and to attend counseling, humane education, a rehabilitation program, or other such treatment based on such report.
Requires principals convicted of certain animal cruelty offenses undergo a presentencing forensic psychological evaluation and a report be submitted to the court based on such evaluation and to attend counseling, humane education, a rehabilitation program, or other such treatment based on such report.
Establishes criminal offenses related to cruelty to and the killing of animals; provides for enhanced sentencing and victim statements; requires landlords to check the animal abuser registry; establishes the New York state animal abuser registry; makes conforming changes; repeals provisions relating to aggravated cruelty to animals.
"Moose's Law"; prohibits persons convicted of animal cruelty offenses from owning animals and from working or volunteering at animal-related enterprises; establishes presumption against pretrial intervention for certain persons.