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Committee refers service‑animal and animal‑abuse bill to Judiciary after testimony on abuse
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Summary
Lawmakers moved HB5264 to the Judiciary Committee, adding or keeping a criminal provision that would make starvation‑based animal abuse a felony; proponents said testimony showed pervasive abuse and urged stronger penalties.
The committee referred HB5264 (LCO 2989) to the Judiciary Committee after members debated the bill’s insurance and criminal provisions. The s‑substitute removes therapy‑animal language from insurance underwriting while preserving a prohibition on insurer discrimination against landlords whose tenants have service animals.
Senator Cabrera, who said she was "taken aback" by testimony in the public hearing, urged the committee to advance the bill and press for strong penalties and enforcement. "I had, really not as much appreciation as to how abusive people can be towards animals," she said, supporting the referral. Senator Lesser asked for clarification about the new felony provision for starvation‑based abuse and whether Judiciary is the appropriate venue for penalty language; the chair and sponsors said Judiciary is a mandatory referral for penalty components.
Sponsors and advocates described broad support from the public and animal‑welfare groups. The motion to JFS to Judiciary passed and the bill will continue in Judiciary, where members will address criminal penalties and implementational details.
Provenance: Committee discussion and vote recorded between SEG 323 and SEG 546.
