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2011 SESSION

11100966D
HOUSE BILL NO. 1930
Offered January 12, 2011
Prefiled January 11, 2011
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 3.2-6571.1, relating to creation of an animal abuser registry; penalty.
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Patron-- Marshall, D.W.
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Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 3.2-6571.1 as follows:

§ 3.2-6571.1. Animal abuser registry.

A. For purposes of this section, an "animal abuser" means an adult who has been convicted of a felony violation of § 3.2-6570 or 3.2-6571 or of a substantially similar law of another state or of the United States.

B. Any animal abuser physically within the boundaries of the Commonwealth for more than 10 consecutive days shall register in person, before the end of the eleventh day, with the sheriff of the county or city in which he resides or is located.

C. Any previously registered animal abuser shall reregister with the sheriff of the county or city in which he resides or is located no later than 10 days after moving to a new location within the Commonwealth.

D. When an animal abuser registers with the sheriff, he shall provide the following registration information:

1. His legal name and any other names or aliases that he is using or has used;

2. His date of birth;

3. His social security number;

4. His current address or location;

5. His place of employment; and

6. The offense or offenses for which he was convicted and the dates and places of the convictions.

E. When an animal abuser registers with a sheriff, the sheriff shall obtain:

1. A photograph of the animal abuser and a complete set of his fingerprints; and

2. A description of any tattoos, scars, or other distinguishing features on his body that would assist in identifying him.

F. Following an animal abuser’s initial registration pursuant to the provisions of this section, he shall annually renew his registration in person at the office of the sheriff of the county or city where he resides or is located on or before December 31 of each subsequent calendar year for a period of 15 years.

G. An animal abuser who intentionally or knowingly fails to comply with the registration or reregistration requirements or provides false information when complying with the registration or reregistration requirements herein is guilty of a Class 6 felony.

H. Each sheriff shall maintain a local registry including the registration information of all animal abusers in his jurisdiction who are required to register pursuant to this section. Within 10 days of receiving initial registration information from an animal abuser, the sheriff shall contact every residence, school, humane society, animal shelter, and any other business within a half-mile radius of the animal abuser’s residence or location and provide them with his registration information, with the exception of his social security number.

I. The sheriff shall forward all local registry information to the State Police. The State Police shall maintain a central registry of animal abusers required to register pursuant to the provisions of this section. The central registry of animal abusers shall be made available to the public on the State Police website and via telephone access, written access, and in-person access. All of the information contained in an animal abuser’s registration, with the exception of his social security number, shall be made available to the public. Records of each animal abuser’s registration shall be maintained for the duration of the 15-year period in which the animal abuser is required to register.

2.  That the provisions of this act may result in a net increase in periods of imprisonment or commitment. Pursuant to § 30-19.1:4, the estimated amount of the necessary appropriation is $49,321 for periods of imprisonment in state adult correctional facilities and is $0 for periods of commitment to the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice.