PRINTER'S NO. 227
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
268
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY M. K. KELLER, CAUSER, BAKER, BLOOM, D. COSTA,
DOWLING, EVERETT, FREEMAN, GILLESPIE, A. HARRIS, PHILLIPS-
HILL, JOZWIAK, KAUFFMAN, W. KELLER, MARSHALL, McGINNIS,
MILLARD, MILNE, NEILSON, O'NEILL, PICKETT, PYLE, M. QUINN,
ROE, ROTHMAN, SIMMONS, STEPHENS, TAYLOR, THOMAS, WARD, WATSON
AND SAINATO, JANUARY 31, 2017
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, JANUARY 31, 2017
AN ACT
Amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, in riot, disorderly conduct and
related offenses, further providing for the offense of
cruelty to animals.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 5511(q) of Title 18 of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes is amended by adding definitions and the
section is amended by adding a subsection to read:
ยง 5511. Cruelty to animals.
* * *
(p.1) Immunity.--A licensed doctor of veterinary medicine,
certified veterinary technician or veterinary assistant who
reports, in good faith and in the normal course of business, a
suspected incident of animal cruelty to the proper authority
shall be immune from liability in a civil action brought against
the licensed doctor of veterinary medicine, certified veterinary
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technician or veterinary assistant for reporting the incident.
(q) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following
words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this
subsection:
* * *
"Certified veterinary technician." As defined in section
3(13) of the act of December 27, 1974 (P.L.995, No.326), known
as the Veterinary Medicine Practice Act.
* * *
"Licensed doctor of veterinary medicine." As defined in
section 3(8) of the Veterinary Medicine Practice Act.
* * *
"Veterinary assistant." As defined in section 3(14) of the
Veterinary Medicine Practice Act.
* * *
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
20170HB0268PN0227 - 2 -
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