Courts may help locate guardians, and a funded database screens animal owners

A superior court may order an investigation to locate a parent or guardian of record. This applies when an open investigation concerns an alleged child cruelty offense and the child has moved from a known address to an unknown location. A law enforcement official must show that an inquiry into the child's safety and welfare is needed to complete the investigation. The provision applies while the investigation is open.

A superior court may order an investigation to locate a guardian of record. This applies when an open investigation concerns an alleged offense involving a disabled adult, elder person, or resident and that person has moved from a known address to an unknown location. A law enforcement official must show that an inquiry into the person's safety and welfare is needed to complete the investigation. The provision applies while the investigation is open.

The Prosecuting Attorneys' Council must create and maintain a public animal cruelty database, and court clerks must send it conviction and sentence records. The database is for shelters, animal protection and control agencies, and others making animal placement decisions. It covers specified animal cruelty, dogfighting, and related offenses. The database is required only if the General Assembly provides money or other funding is available. The free database must list the full names of people convicted of, or who pleaded guilty or no contest to, the offenses named in the law, and it must be updated at least monthly. A court clerk must send the conviction and sentence electronically within 60 days of their entry. State law enforcement, prosecution, and corrections agencies must share related information with the Council in a timely manner. The Council must create the database by January 1, 2027, if funding is available, and update it at least monthly. Clerks must send conviction and sentence records within 60 days of entry.