HB 5143

Abstract

Amends the Animal Research and Production Facilities Protection Act. Adds definition for "deprive". Changes current prohibited acts into animal facility tampering and adds disrupting operations at the animal facility, if the operations directly relate to agricultural production, animal maintenance, veterinary care, or educational or scientific purposes. Creates the offense of animal facility interference for creating or possessing, without the consent of the owner, a visual or sound recording made at the animal facility, which reproduces a visual or audio experience occurring at the facility. Also includes in animal facility interference exercising control over the animal facility with the intent to deprive the facility of an animal or property, and entering a facility not open to the public. Animal facility interference is a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense and a Class 4 felony for a second or subsequent offense. Creates the offense of animal facility fraud that retains the current entering a facility under false pretenses, and by theft or deception obtain control over facility property. Adds to animal facility fraud making a false statement or representation on a facility employment application, with the intent to commit an act not authorized by the facility. Penalty for animal facility fraud is a Class 4 felony to a Class 1 felony depending on the amount of loss or damage inflicted. Adds to current civil remedies an authorization for civil damages of treble the amount of actual damages, plus court costs and attorney fees. Provides an exception to animal facility tampering and animal facility interference for certain persons.