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2013 SESSION

13103005D
HOUSE BILL NO. 2242
Offered January 14, 2013
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 3.2-6570.2, relating to the registration of convicted animal abusers.
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Patron-- Putney (By Request)
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Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
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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 3.2-6570.2 as follows:

§ 3.2-6570.2. Animal abuser registration; penalties.

A. For purposes of this section,"animal abuser" means a person 18 years of age or older who has been convicted of a felony violation of this article or of a comparable statute of another state.

B. Any animal abuser present within the boundaries of the Commonwealth for more than 10 consecutive days shall register with the primary law-enforcement agency for the locality in which the animal abuser is located before the end of the eleventh day in the Commonwealth. Any previously registered animal abuser shall reregister with the primary law-enforcement agency for the locality in which the animal abuser is located no later than 10 days after moving to a new location within the Commonwealth.

C. When an animal abuser registers with a primary law-enforcement agency, he shall provide the following registration information:

1. The legal name and any other names or aliases that the animal abuser is using or has used;

2. The date of birth of the animal abuser;

3. The social security number of the animal abuser;

4. The current address or location of the animal abuser;

5. The place of employment of the animal abuser; and

6. The animal protection offense for which the animal abuser was convicted and the date and place of conviction.

D. When an animal abuser registers with the primary law-enforcement agency of a locality, the agency shall obtain a photograph of the animal abuser, a complete set of his fingerprints, and a description of any tattoos, scars, or other distinguishing features on his body that would assist in identifying him.

E. Following an animal abuser's initial registration pursuant to the provisions of this section, he shall annually renew his registration with the primary law-enforcement agency of the locality prior to December 31 of each subsequent calendar year for a period of 15 years.

F. An animal abuser who intentionally or knowingly fails to comply with, or who provides false information when complying with, the registration requirements set forth in this section is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

G. The primary law-enforcement agency of each locality shall maintain a local registry of animal abusers in the agency's jurisdiction required to register pursuant to this section. The agency shall forward all registration information obtained from animal abusers to the Virginia Office of the Attorney General. Within 10 days of receiving initial registration information from an animal abuser, the agency shall contact each residence, school, humane society, animal shelter, and business within one-half mile of the animal abuser's residence or location and provide it with the animal abuser's registration information, with the exception of his social security number.

H. The Virginia Office of the Attorney General shall maintain a central registry of animal abusers required to register pursuant to the provisions of this section. Records of each animal abuser's registration shall be maintained for the duration of the 15-year period in which he is required to be registered. All of the information contained in the central registry, with the exception of the social security numbers of animal abusers, shall be made available to the public through Internet access, telephone access, written access, and in-person access.