House Bill 399 Summary

• Defines "torture" as knowing and willful infliction of unjustifiable and extreme or prolonged pain, mutilation or maiming with intent to cause suffering, excluding accidental acts and normal legal practices.

• Makes torturing a companion animal a misdemeanor on first offense, a felony on second offense within 10 years, and allows officers to take possession of tortured animals pending disposition.

• Establishes enhanced penalties: first violation of animal cruelty is a misdemeanor with jail up to 6 months or fine of $100-$5,000; second violation within 10 years is a misdemeanor with jail up to 9 months or fine of $200-$7,000.

• Makes committing torture to a companion animal in presence of a minor a felony on first offense, and provides for second violation of torture to be a felony with jail up to 9 months or fine of $400-$7,000.

• Authorizes courts to terminate animal possession rights of convicted persons and to order participation in animal cruelty prevention programs or psychological counseling at offender's expense.

• Expands juvenile mental health assessment requirements to include consideration of risk to animal and companion animal safety from prohibited acts.