relative to the cost of care fund.

This bill allows the Cost of Care Fund to pay third parties directly for expenses related to caring for animals involved in cruelty cases. It authorizes arresting officers to apply for grants to cover costs incurred while animals are in pretrial care, between seizure and the final resolution of the case. The Department of Agriculture, Markets, and Food will review these applications within 15 days and limit payments to $500,000 per application. The changes take effect on July 30, 2024.