Establishes Animal Advocate Program in AOC.
This bill establishes a two-year Statewide Animal Advocate Program within New Jersey's Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC). It allows courts to appoint a special advocate in criminal cases involving animal welfare (such as cruelty or dog fighting charges) to represent the animal's best interests, rather than the owner or state. The advocate monitors cases, reviews records from vets and officers, shares information with attorneys, and recommends animal placement to the court. The program expires after two years, requiring a report on implementation and recommendations for continuation.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 13, 2026
Last action Jan 13, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
1
Key actions
0
Committee
0
Jan 13, 2026
Introduced
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Judiciary Committee
lower
1 primary · 10 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Annette Quijano
DDemocratic
Co
Anthony Verrelli
DDemocratic
Co
Aura Dunn
RRepublican
Co
Bob Auth
RRepublican
Co
Rob Clifton
RRepublican
Co
Robert Karabinchak
DDemocratic
Co
Sean Kean
RRepublican
Co
Shama Haider
DDemocratic
Co
Sterley Stanley
DDemocratic
Co
Verlina Reynolds-Jackson
DDemocratic
Co
Vicky Flynn
RRepublican
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