STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
107
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY(Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
___________
Introduced by M. of A. ROSENTHAL, KELLES -- read once and referred to
the Committee on Agriculture
AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to estab-
lishing animals as sentient beings
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The agriculture and markets law is amended by adding a new
2 section 386 to read as follows:
3 § 386. Animals as sentient beings. The Legislature finds and declares
4 that animals are sentient beings capable of experiencing pain, stress,
5 and fear. It is the policy of New York that, in order to protect animals
6 from experiencing pain, stress, or fear at human hands, animals are to
7 be treated humanely. For that reason, animals shall be considered the
8 victims of animal cruelty crimes and shall be treated as such in a court
9 of law.
10 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00662-01-5
