Pennsylvania Senate Advances Animal-Abuser Registry Bill
Pennsylvania Senate Advances Animal-Abuser Registry Bill
Pennsylvania lawmakers are considering legislation that would establish a public registry for people convicted of specified animal-abuse offenses and require checks before certain animals are sold, transferred or adopted.
The state Senate passed Senate Bill 1311, known as “Aimee’s Law,” by a 33–17 vote on October 6. The bill was referred to the House Judiciary Committee on October 7. It is a proposal—not current law—and would still require House approval and the governor’s signature. palegis.us
Under the current bill text, Pennsylvania State Police would maintain the registry for qualifying convictions entered after the legislation’s effective date. Public information would include the registrant’s photograph, name and aliases, the expiration date of any animal-ownership prohibition, and whether that prohibition remains active. Social Security and government identification numbers would not be displayed.
Courts would be required to prohibit a person convicted of a qualifying offense from owning, possessing, controlling or caring for animals for a court-determined period not exceeding the offense’s statutory maximum. The registry would cover specified offenses involving cruelty, aggravated cruelty, animal fighting, sexual abuse of animals, attacks on assistance animals and certain offenses involving police animals. palegis.us
Before selling, transferring or placing a dog, cat or equine animal for adoption, a person or organization would have to check the registry and refuse the transaction if the intended recipient remained listed. Registration would generally continue for the duration of the court-ordered prohibition rather than automatically becoming permanent.
Failure to register as required would be a third-degree felony. Knowingly transferring an animal to someone on the registry would carry escalating penalties.
The proposal is intended to prevent people subject to court-ordered restrictions from quickly acquiring more animals. Its practical effect would depend on accurate records, consistent screening and enforcement if the measure becomes law.
