Saturday, October 30, 2021

Governor Hochul Signs Animal Welfare Legislative Package

 

Legislation S.4254/A.4075 Prohibits Insurers from Refusing to Issue or Renew, Cancel, or Charge or Impose an Increased Premium for Certain Policies Based Solely on the Breed of Dog Owned

Legislation S.5023A/A.5823-A Requires Veterinarians to Report Suspected Animal Cruelty


 Governor Kathy Hochul today signed a legislative package relating to animal welfare. Legislation S.4254/A.4075 prohibits insurers from refusing to issue or renew, cancel, or charge or impose an increased premium for certain policies based solely on the breed of dog owned. Legislation S.5023A/A.5823-A requires veterinarians to report suspected animal cruelty.

"To own a pet is a blessing and we owe it to the animals of New York to keep them safe and healthy," Governor Hochul said. "Dogs of all breeds deserve loving homes and no one should have to fear losing their insurance coverage based on the dog they own. In the same vein, veterinarians who see signs of abuse in their patients should be safeguarded so they can report said abuse to the proper authorities. I am proud to sign these bills into law to ensure the wellbeing of pets across the state."

Legislation S.4254/A.4075 prevents insurance companies from discriminating against homeowners based on the breed of the dog that they own by prohibiting insurers from canceling, refusing to issue or renew, or charging higher premiums for homeowners' insurance based on the breed of their dog. 

Legislation S.5023A/S.5823-A mandates that veterinarians report suspected animal cruelty to appropriate authorities to investigate. This legislation also protects the identity of such veterinarians and allows veterinarians to receive a copy of any report generated.  This legislation will ensure that those most likely to encounter animal cruelty and recognize its signs make timely reports to protect abused animals.  At the same time, the new law will provide protection to these veterinarians by ensuring they can make reports confidentially and maintain records of these incidents.

No comments:

Post a Comment