Find the text of this bill here. The bill is sponsored by Michigan state Sen. Jim Barcia and remains pending in the Michigan Senate Judiciary Committee.

This bill amends MCL 750.50b to specify periods when a court may order the convicted animal abuser to stay away from animals:

     (a) For a first violation, not less than 5 years or for the lifetime of the defendant.

     (b) For a second violation, not less than 15 years or for the lifetime of the defendant.

     (c) For a third or subsequent conviction, not less than 15 years or for the lifetime of the defendant.

Under this bill the court would also be required to report such an order to law enforcement, specifically the the law enforcement information network as provided by the C.J.I.S. policy council act, 1974 PA 163, MCL 28.211 to 28.215.

If the abuser violates the order, a first violation is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 93 days or a fine of not more than $1,000.00, or both. A second or subsequent violation is a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 4 years or a fine of not more than $5,000.00, or both.

This bill also requires a court to order an abuser to pay for the costs of prosecution, care including veterinary care for an animal seized for abuse or neglect and place the animal with a humane society or other animal welfare agency.

Find your Michigan state senators here and write or call and urge them to help get this bill passed in committee and brought to a vote in the Senate and then to vote YES to S.B. 1122.