A 3637 New Jersey General Assembly · 2024-2025 Regular Session

Provides immunity from civil and criminal liability for rescue of animal from motor vehicle under inhumane conditions.

This bill provides legal protection for people who rescue animals from vehicles in immediate danger due to inhumane conditions like extreme heat, cold, or lack of ventilation. It allows any person to break into a vehicle (without permission) to save a domestic animal if they first contact rescue services and try to locate the owner, unless emergency circumstances prevent it. The rescuer is shielded from civil or criminal liability for property damage or animal injury caused during the rescue - unless they acted recklessly or willfully. The bill also requires rescuers to contact rescue personnel after the rescue and mandates that those personnel respond immediately, provide veterinary care, and investigate potential animal cruelty violations. It applies directly to New Jersey residents acting to save animals in urgent distress.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2024
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 12, 2024 Last action Feb 12, 2024
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Feb 12, 2024
Introduced
Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Commerce, Economic Development and Agriculture Committee
lower
2 primary · 0 co-sponsors

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