New Jersey Assembly Bill A1110

New Jersey 2026-2027 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/13/26
• Refer: 1/13/26

Caption

Requires certain veterinary facilities to obtain signed consent form for unsupervised overnight stays of domestic companion animals.

Impact

The bill significantly alters existing regulatory frameworks surrounding animal care by introducing stricter requirements for veterinary facilities. Specifically, it amends P.L.2015, c.110, to mandate written notification about the lack of supervision after hours, which must be conspicuously displayed. Failure to comply with these provisions could result in the veterinarian being strictly liable for any injuries or deaths that occur due to the lack of overnight supervision, creating a legal context that prioritizes transparency and safety for animals under veterinary care.

Summary

Bill A1110 is designed to regulate the supervision of domestic companion animals at for-profit veterinary facilities that offer overnight boarding without staff oversight. Under this legislation, such facilities must obtain a signed consent form from the pet owner or caregiver before allowing an animal to stay unsupervised overnight. The consent form must provide information about the risks associated with unsupervised boarding, including the frequency of both fatal and non-fatal injuries. This measure aims to ensure that pet owners are aware of the potential dangers when leaving their animals in such environments.

Contention

One notable point of contention may arise regarding the liability provisions. By holding veterinarians strictly liable for injuries occurring due to unsupervised care, the bill places significant legal responsibility on practitioners, which some may argue could lead to increased costs for veterinary services as facilities may choose to pass on liability-related expenses to consumers. Additionally, concerns may be raised about the feasibility of consistent enforcement of these new requirements and whether they may inadvertently reduce the availability of overnight boarding options, particularly for smaller veterinary practices that may struggle to adapt to the new regulations.