2023 Senate Bill 657

Animals: care and treatment; restitution for care and treatment of certain forfeited animals; impose penalties upon owner.

A bill to amend 1931 PA 328, entitled “The Michigan penal code,” by amending section 50 (MCL 750.50), as amended by 2019 PA 135.

Senate Fiscal Agency Analysis

Prescribes the processes for removing animals, financial responsibility during criminal proceedings, and the final dispositions of animals for owners and possessors who are required to treat animals humanely and for individuals alleged to have abused an animal. Defendants in animal abuse cases could post a security deposit or bond to prevent forfeiture of the animal during sentencing. Additionally, defendants would have to pay restitution to the applicable animal control agency as part of the sentencing terms. If the owner or possessor that posted a security deposit or bond were found not guilty in a criminal action, the amount of the security deposit or bond posted to prevent disposition of the animal could be returned, and the animal would have to be returned to the owner.

Introduced in the Senate

Nov. 9, 2023

Introduced by Sen. Dayna Polehanki (D-5)

Referred to the Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety

Feb. 29, 2024

Reported without amendment

March 5, 2024

Referred to the Committee of the Whole

June 12, 2024

Reported with substitute S-1

Substitute S-1 concurred in by voice vote

June 18, 2024

Amendment offered by Sen. Jonathan Lindsey (R-17)

1. Amend page 18, following line 25, by inserting:

“Enacting section 1. This amendatory act does not take effect unless Senate Bill No. 727 of the 102nd Legislature is enacted into law.”.

The amendment failed 18 to 20 (details)

Passed in the Senate 27 to 10 (details)

Received in the House

June 18, 2024

Referred to the Committee on Agriculture

June 20, 2024

Referred to the Committee on Criminal Justice