S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
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                              2011-2012 Regular Sessions
                                 I N  A S S E M B L Y
                                    March 24, 2011
                                      ___________
       Introduced  by M. of A. RABBITT -- read once and referred to the Commit-
         tee on Agriculture
       AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to requiring any employee
         of a veterinary facility, animal hospital or clinic,  animal  boarding
         kennel,  pound,  shelter  or  rescue  center or facility that provides
         services for animals to report an animal's injury, illness  or  condi-
         tion to the police if such employee reasonably suspects animal cruelty
         or abuse
         THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
       BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
    1    Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 6714-a
    2  to read as follows:
    3    S 6714-A. MANDATORY REPORT  OF  SUSPECTED  ANIMAL  CRUELTY,  ABUSE  OR
    4  NEGLECT.  1. WHEN ANY EMPLOYEE OF A VETERINARY FACILITY, ANIMAL HOSPITAL
    5  OR CLINIC, ANIMAL BOARDING KENNEL, POUND, SHELTER OR  RESCUE  CENTER  OR
    6  OTHER  FACILITY  THAT  PROVIDES  SERVICES FOR ANIMALS, REASONABLY AND IN
    7  GOOD FAITH SUSPECTS THAT AN ANIMAL'S INJURY, ILLNESS OR CONDITION IS THE
    8  RESULT OF ANIMAL CRUELTY OR A VIOLATION OF STATE OR FEDERAL LAW PERTAIN-
    9  ING TO THE CARE, TREATMENT, ABUSE OR NEGLECT OF AN ANIMAL, SUCH EMPLOYEE
   10  SHALL REPORT THE INCIDENT AND DISCLOSE RECORDS CONCERNING  THE  ANIMAL'S
   11  CONDITION AND TREATMENT TO THE POLICE, DULY INCORPORATED SOCIETY FOR THE
   12  PREVENTION  OF  CRUELTY  TO ANIMALS, PEACE OFFICERS, DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S
   13  OFFICE, ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE  AND  MARKETS,
   14  OTHER APPROPRIATE GOVERNMENT AGENCY, OR ANY AGENT THEREOF.
   15    2.  AN  EMPLOYEE ACTS IN GOOD FAITH WITHIN THE MEANING OF THIS SECTION
   16  WHEN HE OR SHE REASONABLY BELIEVES THAT HIS OR HER ACTIONS ARE NECESSARY
   17  TO PROTECT THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF THE ANIMAL OR THE PUBLIC.
   18    3. AN EMPLOYEE WHO REASONABLY AND IN GOOD FAITH REPORTS  OR  DISCLOSES
   19  RECORDS  IN  ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION SHALL BE IMMUNE FROM LIABILITY
   20  IN THE FORM OF DAMAGES IN ANY CIVIL OR CRIMINAL PROCEEDING ON ACCOUNT OF
   21  SUCH REPORTING OR DISCLOSURE.
   22    S 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
        EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                             [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                                  LBD10192-01-1