An Act relative to animal welfare and reporting of animal cruelty, abuse or neglect

This bill updates animal welfare laws to require department employees and contractors to report suspected animal cruelty, abuse, or neglect to investigators within two working days, with immediate phone reporting for urgent cases. It protects those who make reports in good faith from legal liability while clarifying that the department itself is not obligated to conduct investigations. Additionally, the legislation allows child welfare officials to request behavior assessments and veterinary records from foster or pre-adoptive homes to ensure child safety, while explicitly prohibiting placement denials based solely on a dog's breed.