New York A 9024: Relates to crimes against animals; establishes the New York state animal abuser registry; makes conforming changes; and repeals section 353-a of the agriculture and markets law

Bill Text

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 Speaker Carl E. Heastie

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A09024 Summary:

BILL NOA09024 

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SAME ASNo Same As

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SPONSORBlumencranz

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COSPNSR

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MLTSPNSR

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Add Art 243 §§243.00 - 243.30, Pen L; amd §§353 & 374, rpld §353-a, Ag & Mkts L; amd §380.50, CP L; add
§235-k, RP L; add Art 35 Title 1 §§846-aa - 846-ii, Exec L; amd §17-1601, NYC Ad Cd; amd §6714, Ed L

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Establishes criminal offenses related to cruelty to and the killing of animals; provides for enhanced sentencing and victim statements; requires landlords to check the animal abuser registry; establishes the New York state animal abuser registry; makes conforming changes; repeals provisions relating to aggravated cruelty to animals.

Go to top A09024 Actions:

BILL NOA09024 

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09/05/2025referred to codes

01/07/2026referred to codes

05/13/2026held for consideration in codes

Go to topA09024 Committee&nbspVotes:

Committee:CODES Chair:Dinowitz 
DATE:05/13/2026AYE/NAY:14/4 Action: Held for Consideration DinowitzAyeMorinelloNay

GlickAyeReillyExcused

LavineAyeMikulinExcused

WeprinAyeTannousisNay

HevesiAyeAngelinoNay

SeawrightAyeMolitorNay

RosenthalAye

WalkerAye

VanelExcused

CruzAye

BoresAbsent

ReyesAye

CunninghamAye

RomeroAye

AlvarezAye

TaylorAye

Go to topA09024 Floor&nbspVotes:

There are no Assembly votes for this bill in this legislative session.

Go to topA09024 Text:

 STATE OF NEW YORK
 ________________________________________________________________________

 9024

 2025-2026 Regular Sessions

 IN ASSEMBLY

 September 5, 2025
 ___________

 Introduced by M. of A. BLUMENCRANZ -- read once and referred to the
 Committee on Codes

 AN ACT to amend the penal law, the agriculture and markets law, the
 criminal procedure law, and the real property law, in relation to
 crimes against animals; to amend the executive law, in relation to
 establishing the New York state animal abuser registry; to amend the
 administrative code of the city of New York, the agriculture and
 markets law and the education law, in relation to making conforming
 changes; and to repeal section 353-a of the agriculture and markets
 law relating to aggravated cruelty to animals

 The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-
 bly, do enact as follows:

 1 Section 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "New York
 2 State Animal Justice Act".
 3 § 2. Legislative intent. The legislature finds and declares that
 4 companion animals are sentient beings who form integral parts of the
 5 human family. Current law inadequately punishes or prevents acts of
 6 cruelty, torture, or theriocide against animals. The purpose of this act
 7 is to provide justice for animals, empower victims, and create the
 8 strongest and most comprehensive companion animal protection laws in the
 9 United States.
 10 § 3. The penal law is amended by adding a new article 243 to read as
 11 follows:
 12 ARTICLE 243
 13 CRIMES AGAINST ANIMALS
 14 Section 243.00 Recognition of sentient animal life.
 15 243.05 Definitions.
 16 243.10 Cruelty to animals.
 17 243.15 Aggravated cruelty to animals.
 18 243.20 Theriocide.
 19 243.25 Effect.

 EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
 [ ] is old law to be omitted.
 LBD13463-01-5

 A. 9024 2

 1 243.30 Additional considerations, sentencing enhancements and
 2 provisions.
 3 § 243.00 Recognition of sentient animal life.
 4 Companion animals are recognized under New York state law as sentient
 5 beings and not merely property.
 6 § 243.05 Definitions.
 7 For purposes of this article:
 8 1. "companion animal" shall have the same meaning as defined in subdi-
 9 vision five of section three hundred fifty of the agriculture and
 10 markets law;
 11 2. "serious physical injury" shall have the same meaning as defined in
 12 subdivision twenty-nine of section one hundred eight of the agriculture
 13 and markets law; and
 14 3. "theriocide" means the killing of an animal by a human being.
 15 § 243.10 Cruelty to animals.
 16 A person is guilty of cruelty to animals when with no justifiable
 17 purpose, such person:
 18 1. intentionally, recklessly or with criminal negligence causes pain,
 19 suffering or injury to any companion animal; or
 20 2. recklessly or with criminal negligence causes the death of any
 21 companion animal.