H765 - Regulatory Reform Act of 2015, Sec. 4.36: Animal Welfare Hotline and Court Fee to Support the Investigation of Animal Cruelty Violations (SL 2015-286)

Overview: Sec. 4.36 of S.L. 2015-286 directs the Attorney General to establish and publicize a hotline to receive reports of allegations of animal cruelty or violations of the Animal Welfare Act against animals under private ownership. An individual who makes a report to the hotline must disclose his or her name and telephone number, and any other information the Attorney General may require. When the Attorney General receives allegations of activity involving cruelty to animals under private ownership, the Attorney General's office must refer the allegations to the appropriate local animal control agency. When the Attorney General receives allegations of activity involving a violation of the Animal Welfare Act against animals under private ownership, the Attorney General's office must refer the allegations to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The Attorney General must maintain a record of the total number of reports received on the hotline and the number of reports received against any individual on the hotline.

This section becomes effective March 1, 2016.