Bill Text: HI HB1779 | 2016 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii House Bill 1779 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Animals; Agents of Society; Powers of Arrest

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-01-27 - Referred to JUD, referral sheet 2 [HB1779 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2016-HB1779-Introduced.html

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1779
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to animals.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that close emotional bonds are formed between animals and people, their families, and their friends. Animals may be domestic pets, service dogs trained to perform tasks for those with disabilities, or other animals that assist law enforcement officers in the performance of their duties. Violence against animals is linked to violence against people and laws that protect animals should be vigorously enforced.

The legislature finds that section 711-1110, Hawaii Revised Statutes, authorizes an agent of a society for the prevention of cruelty to animals to arrest a person who violates section 711-1109, Hawaii Revised Statutes, relating to the offense of cruelty to animals in the second degree. The legislature believes that the arrest powers bestowed upon these agents should be expanded to authorize arrests for violation of additional statutes to provide greater protection for animals.

Specifically, this Act authorizes an agent of a society for the prevention of cruelty to animals to make arrests for violations of:

(1) Section 711-1109.3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, relating to the offense of cruelty to animals by fighting dogs in the first degree;

(2) Section 711-1109.35, Hawaii Revised Statutes, relating to the offense of cruelty to animals by fighting dogs in the second degree;

(3) Section 711-1109.37, Hawaii Revised Statutes, relating to the offense of cruelty to animals by trapping;

(4) Section 711-1109.4, Hawaii Revised Statutes, relating to the offense of causing injury or death to a service dog or law enforcement animal; and

(5) Section 711-1109.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, relating to the offense of intentional interference with the use of a service dog or law enforcement animal.

SECTION 2. Section 711-1110, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§711-1110 Relating to agent of society. The agent of any society which is formed or incorporated for the prevention of cruelty to animals, upon being appointed thereto by the president of [~~such~~] that society in any district in the State, may within [~~such~~] that district make arrests and bring before any district judge thereof offenders found violating [~~the provisions of section~~] any of the following sections:

(1) 711-1109;

(2) 711-1109.3;

(3) 711-1109.35;

(4) 711-1109.37;

(5) 711-1109.4; or

(6) 711-1109.5,

to be dealt with according to law."

SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Animals; Agents of Society; Powers of Arrest

Description:

Increases the enumerated offenses relating to animals for which an agent of a society formed to prevent cruelty to animals may make arrests.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.