Pet and Women Safety Act of 2017
Bill journey · stage 2 of 5
Under committee review
What it doesSummary introduced in senate (Feb 7, 2017)
Pet and Women Safety Act of 2017
This bill amends the federal criminal code to broaden the definition of stalking to include conduct that causes a person to experience a reasonable fear of death or serious bodily injury to his or her pet.
Additionally, an interstate violation of a protection order includes interstate travel with the intent to violate a protection order against a pet that is included within the scope of the protection order. The bill specifies the applicable criminal penalty—a prison term of up to five years, a fine, or both—for a person who commits an interstate violation of a protection order against a pet.
With respect to a defendant who commits a domestic violence offense or an interstate violation of a protection order, mandatory restitution in the "full amount of victim's losses" includes costs incurred for veterinary services related to the pet.
The bill directs the Department of Agriculture to award grants for shelter and housing assistance and support services for domestic violence victims with pets.
Finally, it expresses the sense of Congress that states should include, in domestic violence protection orders, protections against violence or threats against a person's pet.
What just happenedFeb 7, 2017
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Who’s behind it
- Introduced in SenateFeb 7, 2017
- Feb 7, 2017IntroReferral
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee - Feb 7, 2017IntroReferral10000
Introduced in Senate