New Jersey A 1951: Establishes Animal Advocate Program in AOC.

Bill Text

A1951 

ASSEMBLY, No. 1951 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

� 

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2026 SESSION

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman ANNETTE QUIJANO

District 20 (Union)

Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblymen Verrelli, Auth, Assemblywoman Reynolds-Jackson, 
Assemblymen Stanley, Karabinchak, S.Kean, Assemblywoman Haider, Assemblyman 
Clifton, Assemblywomen Dunn and Flynn

SYNOPSIS

���� Establishes Animal Advocate Program in AOC.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT 

���� Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative 
Counsel.

��

An Act establishing the Animal Advocate Program in the 
Administrative Office of the Courts and supplementing Title 2A of the New Jersey Statutes.

���� Be It 
Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of 
the State of New Jersey:

���� 1.��� a.� The Administrative 
Director of the Courts shall establish a two-year Statewide Animal Advocate 
Program.� As part of this program, in any criminal court 
proceeding pursuant to R.S.4:22-17 et seq. or pursuant to section 1 of 
P.L.2015, c.85 (C.2C:33-31), or in any other criminal proceeding that affects 
the welfare or care of an animal, the court may order, upon its own initiative 
or upon request of the State or a party or counsel for a party, that a separate 
advocate be appointed to represent the best interests of, and justice for, the 
animal.� If a court orders an advocate to be appointed, the advocate shall be 
appointed from a list provided to the court by the director.� A decision by the court 
denying or approving a request to appoint a separate advocate to represent the 
best interests of, and justice for, the animal shall not be subject to appeal.� 

���� b.��� (1)� The advocate shall:

����������� (a) monitor the case;

����������� (b) attend hearings; 

����������� (c) share with attorneys for the State 
and defendant any information new to the case or prepared by the advocate; 

����������� (d) have access to and review all 
relevant records concerning the condition of the animal and the defendant�s 
actions, including, but not limited to, records from certified animal control 
officers, veterinarians and police officers; and 

����������� (e) present information or 
recommendations to the court that relate to the best interests of, and justice 
for, the animal, including placement of the animal.

����������� (2)� The advocate may: 

����������� (a) consult any individual with 
information relating to the welfare or care of the animal; and 

����������� (b) make, prior to sentencing, an 
in-person statement directly to the sentencing court regarding the impact of 
the crime upon the animal.� 

���� c.��� The director shall maintain a list of 
attorneys with knowledge of animal issues and the legal system and a list of 
law schools that have students with an interest in animal issues and the legal 
system.� Such attorneys and law students shall be eligible to serve as advocates 
on a voluntary basis under this section.� In order to be eligible, attorneys 
and law students shall (1) be authorized to make court appearances in the 
State of New Jersey; (2) be familiar with criminal court proceedings pursuant 
to R.S.4:22-17 et seq. or pursuant to section 1 of P.L.2015, c.85 (C.2C:33-31), 
or any other criminal proceeding that affects the welfare or care of an animal; 
and (3) be familiar with an advocate�s duties as set forth in this act.� The 
provisions of R.1:21-3 of the Rules of Court shall govern a law student�s 
participation as an advocate under this section.� 

���� d.� Two years following the establishment of the 
program, the director shall submit to the Governor, and to the Legislature 
pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), a report containing 
information on the implementation of the program, which shall include the 
director�s recommendations on the advisability of continuing the program.� 

���� 2.� This act shall take effect 
on the first day of the sixth month next following the date of enactment, 
except that the Administrative Office of the Courts may take any anticipatory 
administrative action in advance thereof as shall be necessary for the implementation 
of this act.� This act shall apply to all cases initiated on and after the 
effective date and shall expire two years after enactment.� 

STATEMENT

���� This bill establishes a two-year Statewide Animal Advocate 
Program in the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC).� The bill authorizes 
a court to appoint an advocate in certain criminal cases that affect the 
welfare or care of an animal.� The program would expire after two years 
notwithstanding a recommendation of continuing the program.

����� In certain criminal court proceedings pursuant to 
R.S.4:22-17 et seq. (animal cruelty) or section 1 of P.L.2015, c.85 (C.2C:33-31 
et al.) (dog fighting), or in any other criminal proceeding regarding the 
welfare or custody of an animal, the court may order, upon its own initiative or upon request of the State 
or a party or counsel