BILL NUMBER: S8211A
SPONSOR: ADDABBO
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the agriculture and markets law and the education law,
in relation to standards of care for animals held in, or being trans-
ported by, animal shelters; and to repeal certain provisions of the
agriculture and markets law relating thereto
 
PURPOSE:
This bill would enhance standards of care for animals in animal shelters
and address issues with Article 26-C of the Ags and Markets law in
relation to the regulation of animal shelters
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one amends 377-a subdivision 2 of the agriculture and markets
law by changing the minimum deposit required in paragraph (b), as it
related to spaying and neutering, from thirty-five to one hundred.
Section two amends 420 subdivision 6 of the agriculture and markets law
by adding municipalities establishing and maintaining a pound or shelter
that impounds less than five dogs annually and harbors not more than two
dogs at the same time under the definition of "animal shelter".
Section three amends 422 of the agriculture and markets law by adding a
new subdivision 5 to states that personnel training requirements shall
not be applicable to veterinarian or veterinary technicians.
Section four repeals 425 subdivision 17 of the agriculture and markets
law.
Section five amends 427 subdivision 3 of the agriculture and markets law
to remove the reference to "foster home" as it relates to maximum hous-
ing units available at the facility.
Section six amends 429 subdivision 8 of the agriculture and markets law
to remove reference to the American Association of Feline Practitioners.
Section seven amends 431 subdivision 3 paragraphs (e) and (f) of the
agriculture and markets law by providing opportunities to exercise and
eliminate for dogs, as well as specifying rules for leaving animals
unattended in a transport vehicle.
Section eight amends 433 subdivision 3 of the agriculture and markets
law by allowing any animal shelter who violates provisions of Article
26-C to correct such violations within 30 days (increased from 10 days)
And 7 days (increased from 72 hours).
Section nine amends subdivision 1 of section 109 of the agriculture and
markets law to ensure no license shall be required for any dog residing
in an animal shelter or any municipality that impounds less than five
dogs annually and harbor no more than two dogs at the same time.
Section ten amends section 6705 of the education law to allow any person
under the supervision of a veterinarian providing care animals in the
custody or possession of an animal shelter to provide care to animals
prior to the expiration of the statutory "hold" period for stray animals
pursuant to section 117 of the agriculture and markets law.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
In 2022, Ch. 683 was signed into law and provided for comprehensive
standards of care for municipal shelters, not for profit humane socie-
ties, SPCAs, and animal shelters and not for profit animal rescues.
Since passage, the Department of Ags and Markets has convened a working
group to discuss various aspects of the new law.
The changes provided for in this bill are a result of over a year of
conversations among the working group. These various changes align with
the original intent of the 2022 law, that is, enhancing standards of
care for New York's homeless companion animals.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New Bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as
chapter 683 of the laws of 2022, takes effect.

Statutes affected:
S8211: 377-a agriculture and markets law, 377-a(2) agriculture and markets law, 420 agriculture and markets law, 420(6) agriculture and markets law, 422 agriculture and markets law, 425 agriculture and markets law, 425(17) agriculture and markets law, 427 agriculture and markets law, 427(3) agriculture and markets law, 429 agriculture and markets law, 429(8) agriculture and markets law, 433 agriculture and markets law, 433(3) agriculture and markets law
S8211A: 377-a agriculture and markets law, 377-a(2) agriculture and markets law, 420 agriculture and markets law, 420(6) agriculture and markets law, 422 agriculture and markets law, 425 agriculture and markets law, 425(17) agriculture and markets law, 427 agriculture and markets law, 427(3) agriculture and markets law, 429 agriculture and markets law, 429(8) agriculture and markets law, 433 agriculture and markets law, 433(3) agriculture and markets law, 109 agriculture and markets law, 109(1) agriculture and markets law, 6705 education law