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Public Law116th CongressCrime and Law Enforcement
H.R. 724Became Law

PACT Act

This bill became law

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Law

What it doesSummary public law (Nov 25, 2019)

Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act or the PACT Act

This bill revises and expands criminal 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 happenedNov 25, 2019

Became Public Law No: 116-72.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Deutch, Theodore E. [D-FL-22](D-FL)Sponsor
301 cosponsors216 D85 R
Read on Congress.gov
301cosponsors2committees23actions1related bills7subjects
  1. Nov 25, 2019President

    Became Public Law No: 116-72.

  2. Nov 25, 2019BecameLaw36000

    Became Public Law No: 116-72.

  3. Nov 25, 2019President

    Signed by President.

  4. Nov 25, 2019BecameLaw36000

    Signed by President.

  5. Nov 18, 2019Floor

    Presented to President.

  6. Nov 18, 2019President28000

    Presented to President.

  7. Nov 6, 2019Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  8. Nov 5, 2019Floor

    Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.

  9. Nov 5, 2019Floor17000

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.

  10. Nov 5, 2019Discharge

    Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6410)

    Judiciary Committee
  11. Nov 5, 2019Committee14500

    Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S6410)

    Judiciary Committee
  12. Oct 23, 2019IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

    Judiciary Committee
  13. Oct 22, 2019FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  14. Oct 22, 2019FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H8355)

  15. Oct 22, 2019Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H8355)

  16. Oct 22, 2019FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 724.

  17. Oct 22, 2019FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H8355-8357)

  18. Oct 22, 2019FloorH30300

    Mr. Deutch moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  19. Oct 16, 2019CalendarsH12440

    Motion to place bill on Consensus Calendar filed by Mr. Deutch.

    Judiciary Committee
  20. Mar 5, 2019Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

    Crime and Federal Government Surveillance Subcommittee
  21. Jan 23, 2019IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

    Judiciary Committee
  22. Jan 23, 2019IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  23. Jan 23, 2019IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Public LawNov 25, 201949

Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act or the PACT Act

This bill revises and expands criminal 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.

Passed SenateNov 5, 201955

Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act or the PACT Act

This bill revises and expands criminal 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.

Passed HouseOct 22, 201953

Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act or the PACT Act

This bill revises and expands criminal 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 HouseJan 23, 2019

Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act or the PACT Act

This bill revises and expands criminal 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.

PACT Act — Informed