Senate Bill S8030

2025-2026 Legislative Session

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Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Codes Committee

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Delivered to Governor
Signed By Governor

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Date of Action	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
May 15, 2025	referred to codes

2025-S8030 (ACTIVE) - Details

Current Committee:: Senate Codes
Law Section:: Criminal Procedure Law
Laws Affected:: Add §390.25, CP L; add §60.14, Pen L; add §§347.2 & 353.8, Fam Ct Act

2025-S8030 (ACTIVE) - Summary

Requires principals convicted of certain animal cruelty offenses undergo a presentencing forensic psychological evaluation and a report be submitted to the court based on such evaluation and to attend counseling, humane education, a rehabilitation program, or other such treatment based on such report.

2025-S8030 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S8030

SPONSOR: SKOUFIS
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the criminal procedure law, the penal law and the family
court act, in relation to requiring principals convicted of certain
animal cruelty offenses undergo a presentencing forensic psychological
evaluation and a report be submitted to the court based on such evalu-
ation and to attend treatment based on such report

 
PURPOSE:

Requires principals convicted of certain animal cruelty offenses to
undergo a presentencing forensic psychological evaluation and a report
be submitted to the court based on such evaluation, and to attend treat-
ment.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1: Amends the criminal procedure law by adding a new section
390.25 to mandate that individuals convicted of certain animal cruelty

offenses must undergo a forensic psychological evaluation by a licensed
mental health professional trained in forensic assessments. The evalu-
ation must identify underlying causes of the offense, assess the defend-
ant's risk of reoffending or posing a danger to the community, and
provide sentencing recommendations such as counseling or rehabilitation.
In cases involving other animal-related offenses, the court has
discretion to order such an evaluation. The defendant is responsible for
the cost unless deemed indigent, in which case the state covers the
expense.

Section 2: Amends the penal law by adding a new section 60.14 to allow
courts to require individuals convicted of animal cruelty offenses to
attend counseling, humane education, rehabilitation programs, or other
appropriate treatments, based on recommendations from a forensic psycho-
logical evaluation. These programs can be conducted in person or remote-
ly. Defendants are responsible for the cost, but if found indigent, the
state will cover the expenses.

Section 3: Amends the Family Court Act by adding a new section 347.2 to
mandate that courts order a forensic psychological evaluation for any
respondent found to have committed certain serious animal cruelty
offenses. This evaluation, conducted by a licensed mental health profes-
sional, must be submitted before the court issues an order of disposi-
tion. The evaluation includes identifying underlying causes of the
offense, assessing the respondent's risk of reoffending, and recommend-
ing appropriate counseling or rehabilitation. For less severe animal
cruelty offenses, the evaluation is discretionary.

Section 4: Amends the Family Court Act is amended by addin44vhew section
353.8 to allow the court to order a respondent, found guilty of certain
animal cruelty offenses or sexual misconduct with an animal, to attend
counseling, humane education, a rehabilitation program, or other appro-
priate treatment. This decision is made after reviewing the forensic
psychological evaluation report submitted under Section 347.2. The
treatment may be conducted either in person or remotely. The respondent
is generally responsible for covering the costs, but if found indigent,
the state will pay for the treatment.
Section 5: Sets Effective Date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

The Animal Legal Defense Fund is a national nonprofit organization dedi-
cated to protecting the lives and advancing the interests of animals
through the legal system. In 2024, the ALDF released a report called the
"2024 U.S. Animal Protection Laws Rankings: The Best and Worst States
and Territories for Animal Protection Laws," in which they ranked the
top five best and worst states for animal protection laws. Some of the
strongest animal cruelty prevention laws highlighted in the report
related to requiring or permitting courts to order a forensic psycholog-
ical evaluation of individuals convicted of, or found responsible for,
specified animal cruelty offenses. For example, Colorado mandates
psychological evaluations and treatment for anyone convicted of animal
cruelty.

This legislation responds to the well-established connection between
animal cruelty and future violent behavior, including domestic abuse,
child abuse, and other forms of interpersonal violence. Research shows
that individuals who engage in acts of cruelty toward animals are
significantly more likely to commit additional violent offenses.  By
requiring courts to obtain forensic psychological evaluations in serious
animal cruelty cases, this bill ensures that sentencing and dispositions
are informed by expert insight into the underlying causes of the behav-
ior and the risk of future harm.

The bill directs licensed mental health professionals trained in foren-
sic assessment to evaluate defendants and respondents for psychological
or behavioral factors contributing to their offenses.  These evaluations
will include a risk assessment and provide recommendations for coun-
seling, humane education, or other appropriate rehabilitative programs.
This approach gives judges the information they need to craft disposi-
tions that address root causes and reduce the likelihood of future
violence toward both animals and people.

By applying these requirements in both criminal and family court
proceedings, the legislation ensures that youth and adults are treated
with consistency and that rehabilitative options are available across
the justice system. It also provides for the state to cover the cost of
evaluations or treatment when a defendant or respondent is deemed indi-
gent, ensuring equitable access to services.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New Bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have
become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or
repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of
this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed
on or before such effective date.

2025-S8030 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   8030
 
                        2025-2026 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                               May 15, 2025
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen. SKOUFIS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on Codes
 
 AN ACT to amend the criminal procedure law, the penal law and the family
   court act, in relation to requiring principals  convicted  of  certain
   animal cruelty offenses undergo a presentencing forensic psychological
   evaluation and a report be submitted to the court based on such evalu-
   ation and to attend treatment based on such report
 
   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. The criminal procedure law  is  amended  by  adding  a  new
 section 390.25 to read as follows:
 § 390.25 REQUIREMENT OF FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION REPORT; ANIMAL
            CRUELTY.
   1.  FOR  THE  PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, THE FOLLOWING TERMS SHALL HAVE
 THE FOLLOWING MEANINGS:
   (A) "FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION" MEANS AN EVALUATION  CONDUCTED
 BY A MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL TRAINED IN FORENSIC EVALUATION.
   (B) "MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL" MEANS A PERSON LICENSED UNDER ARTICLE
 ONE  HUNDRED  FIFTY-THREE, ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-FOUR, OR ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-
 THREE OF THE EDUCATION LAW.
   (C) "DEFENDANT", "CONVICTION" AND "SENTENCE"  INCLUDES,  RESPECTIVELY,
 AN  "ELIGIBLE  YOUTH",  A  "YOUTHFUL  OFFENDER  FINDING" AND A "YOUTHFUL
 OFFENDER SENTENCE" AS THOSE TERMS ARE DEFINED IN SECTION 720.10 OF  THIS
 CHAPTER.
   2.  (A)  IN  ANY  CASE WHERE THE DEFENDANT IS CONVICTED OF ANY OFFENSE
 ENUMERATED IN SECTION THREE HUNDRED FIFTY-THREE,  THREE  HUNDRED  FIFTY-
 THREE-A,  OR  THREE HUNDRED FIFTY-SIX OF THE AGRICULTURE AND MARKETS LAW
 OR SUBDIVISION FOUR OF SECTION 130.20 OF THE PENAL LAW, THE  COURT  MUST
 ORDER  THAT THE DEFENDANT SUBMIT TO A FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION.
 THE MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL PERFORMING SUCH EVALUATION SHALL SUBMIT A
 REPORT OF THEIR FINDINGS TO THE COURT PRIOR TO SENTENCING.
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD13084-01-5

 S. 8030                             2
 
   (B) IN ANY CASE WHERE  THE  DEFENDANT  IS  CONVICTED  OF  ANY  OFFENSE
 ENUMERATED  IN  ARTICLE  TWENTY-SIX  OF  THE AGRICULTURE AND MARKETS LAW
 OTHER  THAN   SECTION   THREE   HUNDRED   FIFTY-THREE,   THREE   HUNDRED
 FIFTY-THREE-A,  OR THREE HUNDRED FIFTY-SIX, THE COURT MAY ORDER THAT THE
 DEFENDANT  SUBMIT  TO  A  FORENSIC  PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION. THE MENTAL
 HEALTH PROFESSIONAL PERFORMING SUCH EVALUATION SHALL SUBMIT A REPORT  OF
 THEIR FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE COURT PRIOR TO SENTENCING.
   3. A FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION ORDERED BY THE COURT UNDER THIS
 SECTION  SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, THE MENTAL HEALTH PROFES-
 SIONAL PERFORMING SUCH EVALUATION ENDEAVORING TO IDENTIFY:
   (A) ANY CAUSAL FACTORS UNDERLYING THE ANIMAL CRUELTY OFFENSE;
   (B) A RISK ASSESSMENT OF THE DEFENDANT'S LIKELIHOOD TO RECIDIVATE  AND
 ANY RISK THE DEFENDANT POSES TO THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE; AND
   (C)  SENTENCING  RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ANY COUNSELING, HUMANE EDUCATION,
 REHABILITATION PROGRAM, OR OTHER TREATMENT WHICH MAY ADDRESS THE  UNDER-
 LYING  CAUSAL  FACTORS  OF  THE OFFENSE, OR REDUCE THE RISK, IF ANY, THE
 DEFENDANT POSES TO ANIMALS OR TO THE COMMUNITY.
   4. ALL COSTS OF THE FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION SHALL  BE  BORNE
 BY  THE  DEFENDANT.  HOWEVER,  IF  THE COURT DETERMINES THE DEFENDANT IS
 INDIGENT, THE STATE SHALL BEAR THE COST OF SUCH EVALUATION.
   § 2. The penal law is amended by adding a new section 60.14 to read as
 follows:
 § 60.14 AUTHORIZED DISPOSITION; ANIMAL CRUELTY.
   1. WHEN A PERSON IS CONVICTED OF ANY  OFFENSE  ENUMERATED  IN  ARTICLE
 TWENTY-SIX  OF  THE  AGRICULTURE  AND MARKETS LAW OR SUBDIVISION FOUR OF
 SECTION 130.20 OF THIS CHAPTER, SUCH SENTENCE MAY, WHERE APPROPRIATE AND
 AFTER CONSIDERING THE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS IN ANY REPORT SUBMIT-
 TED TO THE COURT UNDER SECTION 390.25 OF  THE  CRIMINAL  PROCEDURE  LAW,
 INCLUDE  AN  ORDER  REQUIRING THE DEFENDANT TO ATTEND COUNSELING, HUMANE
 EDUCATION, A REHABILITATION PROGRAM, OR OTHER SUCH TREATMENT  WHICH  THE
 COURT  DEEMS  APPROPRIATE.  SUCH COUNSELING, HUMANE EDUCATION, REHABILI-
 TATION PROGRAM, OR OTHER SUCH TREATMENT MAY BE CONDUCTED  IN  PERSON  OR
 REMOTELY.
   2.  ALL  COSTS  OF  THE  COUNSELING,  HUMANE EDUCATION, REHABILITATION
 PROGRAM, OR OTHER SUCH TREATMENT SHALL BE BORNE BY THE DEFENDANT. HOWEV-
 ER, IF THE COURT DETERMINES THE DEFENDANT IS INDIGENT, THE  STATE  SHALL
 BEAR  THE  COST  OF  SUCH  COUNSELING,  HUMANE EDUCATION, REHABILITATION
 PROGRAM, OR OTHER SUCH TREATMENT.
   § 3. The family court act is amended by adding a new section 347.2  to
 read as follows:
   §  347.2.  REQUIRED FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION; ANIMAL CRUELTY.
 1.  FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, THE FOLLOWING TERMS SHALL HAVE THE
 FOLLOWING MEANINGS:
   (A) "FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION" MEANS AN EVALUATION  CONDUCTED
 BY A MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL TRAINED IN FORENSIC EVALUATION.
   (B) "MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL" MEANS A PERSON LICENSED UNDER ARTICLE
 ONE  HUNDRED  FIFTY-THREE, ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-FOUR, OR ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-
 THREE OF THE EDUCATION LAW.
   2. (A) IN ANY PROCEEDING WHERE THE RESPONDENT  IS  FOUND  PURSUANT  TO
 SECTION  345.1  OR  346.1  OF  THIS  PART  TO HAVE COMMITTED ANY OFFENSE
 ENUMERATED IN SECTION THREE HUNDRED FIFTY-THREE,  THREE  HUNDRED  FIFTY-
 THREE-A,  OR  THREE HUNDRED FIFTY-SIX OF THE AGRICULTURE AND MARKETS LAW
 OR SUBDIVISION FOUR OF SECTION 130.20 OF THE PENAL LAW, THE  COURT  MUST
 ORDER THAT THE RESPONDENT SUBMIT TO A FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION.
 THE MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL PERFORMING SUCH EVALUATION SHALL SUBMIT A
 S. 8030                             3
 
 REPORT  OF  THEIR  FINDINGS  TO  THE COURT PRIOR TO THE COURT ISSUING AN
 ORDER OF DISPOSITION.
   (B)  IN  ANY  PROCEEDING  WHERE  THE  RESPONDENT  IS FOUND PURSUANT TO
 SECTION 345.1 OR 346.1 OF  THIS  PART  TO  HAVE  COMMITTED  ANY  OFFENSE
 ENUMERATED  IN  ARTICLE  TWENTY-SIX  OF  THE AGRICULTURE AND MARKETS LAW
 OTHER  THAN   SECTION   THREE   HUNDRED   FIFTY-THREE,   THREE   HUNDRED
 FIFTY-THREE-A,  OR THREE HUNDRED FIFTY-SIX, THE COURT MAY ORDER THAT THE
 RESPONDENT SUBMIT TO A FORENSIC  PSYCHOLOGICAL  EVALUATION.  THE  MENTAL
 HEALTH  PROFESSIONAL PERFORMING SUCH EVALUATION SHALL SUBMIT A REPORT OF
 THEIR FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE COURT PRIOR TO THE COURT ISSU-
 ING AN ORDER OF DISPOSITION.
   3. A FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION ORDERED BY THE COURT UNDER THIS
 SECTION SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, THE MENTAL HEALTH  PROFES-
 SIONAL PERFORMING SUCH EVALUATION ENDEAVORING TO IDENTIFY:
   (A) ANY CAUSAL FACTORS UNDERLYING THE ANIMAL CRUELTY OFFENSE;
   (B) A RISK ASSESSMENT OF THE RESPONDENT'S LIKELIHOOD TO RECIDIVATE AND
 ANY RISK THE RESPONDENT POSES TO THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE; AND
   (C)  SENTENCING  RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ANY COUNSELING, HUMANE EDUCATION,
 REHABILITATION PROGRAM, OR OTHER TREATMENT WHICH MAY ADDRESS THE  UNDER-
 LYING  CAUSAL  FACTORS  OF  THE OFFENSE, OR REDUCE THE RISK, IF ANY, THE
 RESPONDENT POSES TO ANIMALS OR TO THE COMMUNITY.
   § 4. The family court act is amended by adding a new section 353.8  to
 read as follows:
   §  353.8.  REQUIRED TREATMENT; ANIMAL CRUELTY. 1. WHEN A RESPONDENT IS
 FOUND TO HAVE COMMITTED ANY OFFENSE ENUMERATED IN ARTICLE TWENTY-SIX  OF
 THE AGRICULTURE AND MARKETS LAW OR SUBDIVISION FOUR OF SECTION 130.20 OF
 THE PENAL LAW, SUCH DISPOSITION MAY, WHERE APPROPRIATE AND AFTER CONSID-
 ERING  THE  FINDINGS  AND RECOMMENDATIONS IN ANY REPORT SUBMITTED TO THE
 COURT UNDER SECTION 347.2 OF THIS ARTICLE, INCLUDE  AN  ORDER  REQUIRING
 THE  RESPONDENT TO ATTEND COUNSELING, HUMANE EDUCATION, A REHABILITATION
 PROGRAM, OR OTHER SUCH TREATMENT WHICH THE COURT DEEMS APPROPRIATE. SUCH
 COUNSELING, HUMANE EDUCATION,  REHABILITATION  PROGRAM,  OR  OTHER  SUCH
 TREATMENT MAY BE CONDUCTED IN PERSON OR REMOTELY.
   2.  ALL  COSTS  OF  THE  COUNSELING,  HUMANE EDUCATION, REHABILITATION
 PROGRAM, OR OTHER SUCH TREATMENT  SHALL  BE  BORNE  BY  THE  RESPONDENT.
 HOWEVER,  IF  THE COURT DETERMINES THE RESPONDENT IS INDIGENT, THE STATE
 SHALL BEAR THE COST OF SUCH COUNSELING, HUMANE EDUCATION, REHABILITATION
 PROGRAM, OR OTHER SUCH TREATMENT.
   § 5. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day  after  it  shall
 have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or
 repeal  of  any  rule  or regulation necessary for the implementation of
 this act on its effective date are authorized to be made  and  completed
 on or before such effective date.

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Senate Bill S8030

Sponsored By

Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Codes Committee

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2025-S8030 (ACTIVE) - Details

2025-S8030 (ACTIVE) - Summary

2025-S8030 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2025-S8030 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

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Sponsored By

James Skoufis

Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Codes Committee

Actions

2025-S8030 (ACTIVE) - Details

2025-S8030 (ACTIVE) - Summary

2025-S8030 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2025-S8030 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments