Bill Text: NJ S196 | 2026-2027 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Prohibits certain animal adoption centers from denying applicant for adoption of dog or cat solely due to applicant's age.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2)

Status: (Introduced) 2026-01-13 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Economic Growth Committee [S196 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2026-S196-Introduced.html

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SENATE, No. 196

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

 

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2026 SESSION

 

 

Sponsored by:

Senator PATRICK J. DIEGNAN, JR.

District 18 (Middlesex)

 

Co-Sponsored by:

Senator Burgess

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Prohibits certain animal adoption centers from denying applicant for adoption of dog or cat solely due to applicant's age.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.

  

An Act concerning the adoption of dogs and cats and supplementing Title 4 of the Revised Statutes.

 

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

 

     1.  a.  As used in this section:

     "Animal rescue organization" means the same as the term is defined in section 1 of P.L.1941, c.151 (C.4:19-15.1).

     "Foster home" means the same as the term is defined in section 1 of P.L.1941, c.151 (C.4:19-15.1).

     "Pound" means the same as the term is defined in section 1 of P.L.1941, c.151 (C.4:19-15.1).

     "Shelter" means the same as the term is defined in section 1 of P.L.1941, c.151 (C.4:19-15.1).

     b.  Notwithstanding the provisions of any law, regulation, or rule to the contrary, no animal rescue organization, shelter, pound, or foster home shall deny an applicant for the adoption of a dog or cat solely on the basis of the applicant's age.

     c.  Every animal rescue organization, shelter, pound, or foster home shall ensure that the animal rescue organization, shelter, pound, or foster home's adoption eligibility criteria for the adoption of a dog or cat is in compliance with the requirements of subsection b. of this section.

 

     2.  This act shall take effect immediately.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

     This bill would prohibit animal rescue organizations, shelters, pounds, and foster homes from denying an applicant for the adoption of a dog or cat solely on the basis of the applicant's age.  The bill would also require every animal rescue organization, shelter, pound, or foster home to ensure that the animal rescue organization, shelter, pound, or foster home's adoption eligibility criteria for the adoption of a dog or cat is in compliance with the bill's requirements.