H.B. 177 Summary

• Requires individuals convicted of or pleading guilty to specified animal cruelty violations (sections 959.01, 959.02, 959.03, 959.13, 959.131, 959.14, 959.15, 959.16, 959.17, 959.18, or 959.20) to register with the Attorney General within 30 days and submit personal information, violation details, and a $10 fee.

• Establishes a registry maintained by the Attorney General containing all submitted information, made available to local and state law enforcement agencies and posted on the Attorney General's website.

• Requires law enforcement officers, humane society agents, and dog wardens to inform the Attorney General of animal cruelty violations and provide relevant information for registry entry.

• Prohibits animal shelters from placing companion animals for adoption with individuals whose names appear on the animal abuser registry.

• Creates the animal abuser registration fund, financed by $10 registration fees, to be used by the Attorney General to administer and enforce the registry provisions.