This bill amends current law regarding loss of consortium to include pets as eligible for damages, expanding the definition of "loss of consortium" to encompass the loss of love, companionship, and support from both a spouse and a pet. The new legal language specifies that loss of consortium includes the loss of enjoyment of sexual relations with a spouse and the ability to have children, while also introducing a provision that allows individuals to recover damages for the death of a pet caused intentionally or recklessly.

Additionally, the bill permits lawsuits against governmental officials, including law enforcement officers, who cause the death of a pet without legal justification. The language inserted into the law clarifies the rights of individuals to seek damages in such cases and outlines the conditions under which these claims can be made, including the potential for damages to be reduced if the claimant is found at fault. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, and is projected to have a minimal fiscal impact of less than $10,000 annually from 2025 to 2028.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 507:8-a