Current Legislation

In addition to what we all do as individuals to improve the lives of animals, state law can have an important impact. Here is a summary of current animal welfare legislation in New Jersey.

Contact your New Jersey legislator and make your opinions known.

• A1817
  • Prohibits persons violating animal cruelty law from owning, keeping, or harboring animals; requires DHSS establish and maintain website list of such persons.
  • Introduced, referred to Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.
• A928, S515
  • Enables veterinarians to satisfy up to half of their continuing education requirement by performing free spay/neuter surgeries for towns and non-profit organizations operating Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs and for low-income residents’ companion animals.
  • Passed the Senate and the Assembly.
• A2346, S1590
  • Protects the assets of county SPCAs (such as the Monmouth County SPCA). Revises law concerning disposition of assets of a county society for the prevention of cruelty to animals that has dissolved or has had its charter revoked, canceled, or suspended.
  • Passed the state Senate and is now in the Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.
• A1633
  • Permits court to include animals in domestic violence restraining orders.
  • Introduced, referred to Assembly Judiciary Committee.
• NJ PASSES COST OF CARE LAW (S-981/A-2354)
  The MCSPCA was a supporter of legislation recently passed by Gov. Phil Murphy, strengthening protections for animals by establishing procedures for the seizure, care, and forfeiture of animals involved in animal cruelty violations. 
• NJ PASSES LAW BANNING GESTATION CRATES 
  On July 26, a bill to ban the crates used to cruelly confine mother pigs and calves raised for veal was signed into law by Gov. Phil Murphy. The bill requires the New Jersey Department of Agriculture to update regulations for humane standards to allow the animals to more freely move and turn around.