Relates to threats or harm to animals as a means of coercion or coercive control

This bill updates New York State laws to officially recognize threats or harm to animals as a form of coercive control used in domestic violence situations. It directly affects legal proceedings by requiring specialized training for mental health professionals and social workers who evaluate child custody cases involving domestic abuse. The training curriculum will include specific instruction on how abusers use animal cruelty to intimidate victims and manipulate family court outcomes. By integrating this definition into existing statutes, the legislation ensures that judges and evaluators better understand the full scope of abusive tactics when making custody decisions.