BILL NUMBER: S8211
SPONSOR: ADDABBO
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to stand-
ards of care for animals held in, or being transported by, animal shel-
ters; and to repeal certain provisions of such 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
housing 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 Practi-
tioners.
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 provides for the effective date.
 
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 home-
less 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