Read the full stored bill text
A bill for an act
relating to public safety; expanding the application of the Pet and Companion
Animal Welfare Act; increasing criminal penalties for maltreatment of animals;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 346.36, subdivision 1; 346.44;
repealing Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 346.37, subdivision 5.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
Section 1.
Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 346.36, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1.
Scope.
Sections
346.35
to
346.44
deleted text begin
shall only
deleted text end
apply to
new text begin
all persons, including
but not limited to
new text end
veterinarians, animal boarding facilities, and commercial animal facilities.
deleted text begin
As used in
deleted text end
new text begin
For purposes of
new text end
sections
346.35
to
346.44
new text begin
,
new text end
the terms defined in this section have
the meanings given
deleted text begin
them
deleted text end
.
Sec. 2.
Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 346.44, is amended to read:
346.44 PENALTIES.
Except where otherwise indicated, a person found guilty of failure to comply with a
provision of sections
346.36
to
346.42
is guilty of a
new text begin
gross
new text end
misdemeanor.
new text begin
A person who is
convicted a second or subsequent time for a violation of sections 346.36 to 346.42 is guilty
of a felony and may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than two years or to payment
of a fine of not more than $10,000, or both.
new text end
Sec. 3.
new text begin
REPEALER.
new text end
new text begin
Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 346.37, subdivision 5,
new text end
new text begin
is repealed.
new text end
APPENDIX
Repealed Minnesota Statutes: 26-07651
346.37 GENERAL PROVISIONS.
Subd. 5.
Interpretation of terms.
A dispute as to the meaning of "abuse," "cruelty," or "neglect" shall be resolved by an expert opinion.