Bill Text: NJ A3696 | 2020-2021 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Expands eligibility for reduced-cost spaying and neutering program to any disabled State resident.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-03-16 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Agriculture Committee [A3696 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2020-A3696-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman RONALD S. DANCER
District 12 (Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean)
SYNOPSIS
Expands eligibility for reduced-cost spaying and neutering program to any disabled State resident.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning eligibility for the reduced-cost spaying and neutering program and amending P.L.1983, c.172.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 3 of P.L.1983, c.172 (C.4:19A-2) is amended to read as follows:
3. a. In order to be eligible to participate in the program, an owner of a dog or cat shall be eligible for, and participate in, at least one of the following:
[a.] (1) The Food Stamp Program authorized by Title XIII of the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977, Pub.L.95-113 (7 U.S.C. s.2011 et seq.);
[b.] (2) The Supplemental Security Income Program established pursuant to Title XVI of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. s.1381 et seq.;
[c.] (3) The program for aid to families with dependent children, pursuant to P.L.1959, c.86 (C.44:10-1 et seq.);
[d.] (4) The program for general public assistance, pursuant to the provisions of the "General Public Assistance Law," P.L.1947, c.156 (C.44:8-107 et seq.);
[e.] (5) The program of medical assistance pursuant to P.L.1968, c.413 (C.30:4D-1 et seq.);
[f.] (6) The program of "Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled," established pursuant to P.L.1975, c.194 (C.30:4D-20 et seq.);
[g.] (7) The rental assistance program authorized pursuant to section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 as added by the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, Pub.L.93-383 (42 U.S.C. s. 1437(f));
[h.] (8) The "Lifeline Credit Program" established pursuant to P.L.1979, c.197 (C.48:2-29.15 et seq.); or
[i.] (9) The "Tenants' Lifeline Assistance Program" established pursuant to P.L.1981, c.210 (C.48:2-29.30 et seq.).
b. In addition to the eligibility of certain disabled persons established pursuant to paragraph (6) of subsection a. of this section, any resident of the State who is disabled shall be eligible for, and may participate in, the program, and shall be eligible for the reduced spaying or neutering fee charged pursuant to section 4 of P.L.1983, c.172 (C.4:19A-3).
c. A resident of New Jersey who owns a dog or cat shall also be eligible to participate in the program if the owner: (1) submits to a veterinarian participating in the program proof, in the form of a certificate of adoption, that the dog or cat was adopted from a New Jersey licensed animal shelter, a New Jersey municipal, county, or regional pound, or a New Jersey holding and impoundment facility that contracts with New Jersey municipalities, or proof that the dog or cat was adopted through a non-profit corporation operating an animal adoption referral service in New Jersey and whose holding facility is licensed in accordance with State and municipal law; or proof that the dog or cat was adopted through a non-profit corporation operating an animal adoption referral service in New Jersey that does not operate a holding facility; and, in the case of a dog, proof that the dog is duly licensed pursuant to State and municipal law; and (2) pays a $20 fee, to be deposited in the fund. The Department of Health may adopt, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), such rules and regulations as may be necessary to implement this amendatory act.
(cf: P.L.1991, c.405, s.1)
2. Section 4 of P.L.1983, c.172 (C.4:19A-3) is amended to read as follows:
4. Any person submitting a dog or cat, pursuant to the provisions of this act, for spaying or neutering, as the case may be, shall:
a. Furnish any licensed veterinarian of this State participating in the program with proof that the owner meets at least one of the eligibility criteria pursuant to the provisions of section 3 of [this amendatory and supplementary act] P.L.1983, c.172 (C.4:19A-2);
b. Sign a consent form certifying that the person is the owner of the dog or cat, or is authorized by the owner to present the dog or cat for the procedure; and
c. Pay a fee of [$10.00] $10, which fee shall be forwarded to the commissioner for deposit in the "Animal Population Control Fund"
(cf: P.L.1983, c.172, s.4)
3. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill expands the reduced spaying and neutering program to any State resident who is disabled. Currently, a low income disabled person who is eligible for, and participates in, the "Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled" program is eligible.
