CT HB05037

Animal control officers must file written reports with the Commissioner of Agriculture within 48 hours when they have reasonable cause to suspect animal cruelty or neglect, or when they file a verified petition with Superior Court.

The Commissioner of Agriculture must send monthly reports to the Commissioner of Children and Families containing all animal cruelty information received from animal control officers.

The Commissioner of Children and Families must determine within one week if any address in the animal cruelty report matches an address with an open child protective service case and share relevant information with the assigned social worker.

Department of Children and Families employees who suspect animal cruelty or neglect must file written reports (not oral) to the Commissioner of Agriculture.

Both commissioners must report annually to the General Assembly committee on children regarding the number of animal cruelty and neglect reports received from their respective departments, beginning January 1, 2015.