STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
4609
2021-2022 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 4, 2021
___________
Introduced by M. of A. L. ROSENTHAL -- 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 382 to read as follows:
3 § 382. 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.
LBD03849-01-1
