AB-2344 • 2026

Animal abuse: forfeiture.

Education

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Haney
Last action: 2026-06-11
Official status: From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on PUB. S.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

Animal abuse: forfeiture.

AB 2344, as amended, Haney.

What This Bill Does

AB 2344, as amended, Haney.
Animal abuse: forfeiture.
Existing law prohibits various acts of abuse toward animals, including, among others, inflicting unnecessary cruelty or abusing an animal in any manner, including, but not limited to, maliciously and intentionally maiming, mutilating, torturing, or wounding an animal.
This bill would, in a criminal case alleging a violation of specified animal abuse crimes, authorize specified entities to request that the prosecuting attorney file a petition requesting that, before final disposition, the court issue an order forfeiting the animal to the city, county, or seizing agency 30 days after a defendant fails to appear in court, as specified.

Limits and Unknowns

This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

2026-06-11 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on PUB. S.
2026-06-10 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on PUB. S.
2026-05-27 California Legislative Information
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
2026-05-26 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 78. Noes 0.)
2026-05-18 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2026-05-14 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (May 14).
2026-05-14 California Legislative Information
Joint Rule 62(a), file notice suspended. (Page 5030.)
2026-05-13 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
2026-04-27 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2026-04-23 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended.
2026-04-22 California Legislative Information
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (April 21).
2026-04-14 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
2026-03-23 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on PUB. S.
2026-03-19 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on PUB. S. Read second time and amended.
2026-03-19 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on PUB. S.
2026-02-20 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 22.
2026-02-19 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 2344, as amended, Haney.
Animal abuse: forfeiture.
Existing law prohibits various acts of abuse toward animals, including, among others, inflicting unnecessary cruelty or abusing an animal in any manner, including, but not limited to, maliciously and intentionally maiming, mutilating, torturing, or wounding an animal.
This bill would, in a criminal case alleging a violation of specified animal abuse crimes, authorize specified entities to request that the prosecuting attorney file a petition requesting that, before final disposition, the court issue an order forfeiting the animal to the city, county, or seizing agency 30 days after a defendant fails to appear in court, as specified. The bill would additionally, if the defendant is granted diversion for those crimes, authorize the prosecution to request an order from the court that the defendant be prohibited from owning, possessing, caring
for, or residing
with,
with
animals of any
kind,
kind throughout the period of diversion,
as specified. By increasing duties on local prosecutors, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the
state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

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