Pennsylvania HB 1933: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in riot, disorderly conduct and related offenses, providing for persons required to report suspected aggravated cruelty to animal.

Bill Text

PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 2432 PRINTER'S NO. 2521
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 1933
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY SAPPEY, KLUNK, SANCHEZ, HANBIDGE, FREEMAN, HILL-
EVANS, HOHENSTEIN, BRENNAN, NEILSON, CONKLIN, HOWARD, PROBST,
STEELE, CIRESI, RIVERA, D. WILLIAMS, McNEILL, HOGAN,
SHUSTERMAN AND CURRY, OCTOBER 8, 2025
AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, OCTOBER 27, 2025
AN ACT
Amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, in riot, disorderly conduct and
related offenses, providing for persons required to report
suspected aggravated cruelty to animal.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Title 18 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes is amended by adding a section to read:
§ 5555.1. Persons required to report suspected aggravated
cruelty to animal.
(a) Mandated reporters.--A person shall make a report of
suspected aggravated cruelty against an animal if the person has
reasonable cause to suspect that the animal is a victim of
aggravated cruelty and the person is any of the following:
(1) A licensed doctor of veterinary medicine.
(2) A CERTIFIED VETERINARY TECHNICIAN.
(2) (3) A veterinary assistant. <--
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(3) (4) An employee of a nonprofit society or
association duly incorporated in accordance with 15 Pa.C.S.
Ch. 53 Subch. A (relating to incorporation generally) for the
purpose of protecting animals or preventing animal cruelty.
(b) Manner of reporting.--A report under subsection (a)
shall be made to a law enforcement agency, either orally or in
writing, and shall include, if known, the following information:
(1) The species, name and description of the animal.
( 2) The address and telephone number of the owner or
other person responsible for the care of the animal.
(3) A description of the nature and extent of the
suspected aggravated cruelty, including the date and time
that the suspected aggravated cruelty occurred or was
discovered.
(4) Any evidence of prior incidents of aggravated
cruelty involving the animal.
(5) Any explanation given for the suspected aggravated
cruelty.
(6) The name and contact information of the person
making the report.
(7) Any other information that the person making the
report believes may be helpful in establishing the cause of
the suspected aggravated cruelty or the identity of the
person who caused the suspected aggravated cruelty.
(c) Immunity.--A mandated reporter under subsection (a)
acting in good faith shall have immunity from civil and criminal
liability AND STATE LICENSING ACTION that might otherwise result
from:
(1) Making a report of suspected aggravated cruelty,
regardless of whether the report is required to be made under
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this section.
(2) Cooperating or consulting with an investigation
under this subchapter.
(3) Testifying in a proceeding arising out of an
instance of suspected aggravated cruelty.
(d) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following
words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this
subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Aggravated cruelty." A violation of 18 Pa.C.S. 5534
(relating to aggravated cruelty to animal).
"CERTIFIED VETERINARY TECHNICIAN." AS DEFINED IN THE ACT OF
DECEMBER 27, 1974 (P.L.995, NO.326), KNOWN AS THE VETERINARY
MEDICINE PRACTICE ACT.
"LICENSED DOCTOR OF VETERINARY MEDICINE." AS DEFINED IN THE
VETERINARY MEDICINE PRACTICE ACT.
"VETERINARY ASSISTANT." AS DEFINED IN THE VETERINARY
MEDICINE PRACTICE ACT.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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