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Bill114th CongressFiled Jul 22, 2015Crime and Law Enforcement
S. 1831

PACT Act

Bill journey · stage 1 of 5

Just introduced

Filed
Comm.
Floor
Both
Law

What it doesSummary passed senate amended (Dec 10, 2016)

Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act or the PACT Act

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the federal criminal code to revise and expand provisions with respect to animal crushing.

It retains existing criminal offenses that prohibit knowingly creating or distributing an animal crush video using interstate commerce. The bill also adds a new provision to criminalize an intentional act of animal crushing. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to seven years, or both.

It provides additional exceptions for conduct, or a video of conduct, including conduct that is: (1) medical or scientific research, (2) necessary to protect the life or property of a person, (3) performed as part of euthanizing an animal, or (4) unintentional.

What just happenedDec 12, 2016

Held at the desk.

Who’s behind it

Sen. Toomey, Patrick [R-PA](R-PA)Sponsor
38 cosponsors30 D7 R1 I
Read on Congress.gov
38cosponsors1committees10actions1amendments1related bills7subjects
  1. Dec 12, 2016FloorH15000

    Held at the desk.

  2. Dec 12, 2016FloorH14000

    Received in the House.

  3. Dec 12, 2016Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  4. Dec 10, 2016Floor

    Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.

  5. Dec 10, 2016Floor17000

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.

  6. Dec 10, 2016Floor

    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S7104)

  7. Dec 10, 2016Discharge

    Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.

    Judiciary Committee
  8. Dec 10, 2016Committee14500

    Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.

    Judiciary Committee
  9. Jul 22, 2015IntroReferral

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

    Judiciary Committee
  10. Jul 22, 2015IntroReferral10000

    Introduced in Senate

Passed Senate amendedDec 10, 201635

Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act or the PACT Act

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the federal criminal code to revise and expand provisions with respect to animal crushing.

It retains existing criminal offenses that prohibit knowingly creating or distributing an animal crush video using interstate commerce. The bill also adds a new provision to criminalize an intentional act of animal crushing. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to seven years, or both.

It provides additional exceptions for conduct, or a video of conduct, including conduct that is: (1) medical or scientific research, (2) necessary to protect the life or property of a person, (3) performed as part of euthanizing an animal, or (4) unintentional.

Introduced in SenateJul 22, 2015

Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act or the PACT Act

Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit intentionally engaging in animal crushing in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce or within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States. (Current law prohibits knowingly creating or distributing an animal crush video.) Adds exceptions for conduct that is for predator or pest control, medical or scientific research, or necessary to protect the life or property of a person from a serious threat caused by an animal.

PACT Act — Informed