This bill establishes new procedures for expedited court hearings regarding animals that have been confiscated due to allegations of animal cruelty. It amends RSA 644:8, IV(a)(3) to prioritize cases involving confiscated animals on the court calendar, requiring a status hearing within 14 days of confiscation. The bill introduces several key provisions, including a limited scope for the hearing focused on the authorization of the impounding, the potential requirement for the defendant to post a bond of up to $1,000 per animal, and the court's authority to determine the best disposition for the animals' health and wellbeing. Additionally, if the bond is not posted within 30 days, the animals may be forfeited.

The bill also includes provisions that protect the rights of the owners, such as allowing for the transfer of ownership interests in the case of co-ownership and ensuring that statements made during the hearing are not admissible in related criminal prosecutions. It further stipulates that the court can proceed with the hearing even if the owner fails to appear, provided there is no prior notice or proof of emergent circumstances. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2027, and is projected to have a fiscal impact of less than $10,000 for each fiscal year from 2027 to 2029.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 644:8
SB619 text: 644:8