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Read. Follow. Verify.New York Assembly Bill 11651 requires courts to weigh specific care factors when awarding pet custody in divorces
Last action · July 29, 2026: REFERRED TO JUDICIARYSponsor: Linda Rosenthal
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What This Bill Would Do
New York courts deciding pet possession during a divorce must explicitly consider six new factors, including who provides daily care, veterinary attention, social interaction, regulatory compliance, and financial support. The legislation takes effect immediately upon enactment.
Divorcing couples in New York face a formalized legal framework for pet custody that explicitly prioritizes the animal's daily well-being and financial stability over standard property division rules.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
divorcing spouses
Spouses going through a divorce must satisfy specific statutory criteria regarding pet care and financial support when petitioning for custody of a companion animal.
companion animals
Judicial custody determinations regarding the animal must explicitly account for its daily needs, veterinary care, and living environment.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What factors will a New York court consider when deciding pet custody in a divorce?
How is a companion animal defined under this legislation?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
1 action- Jul 29, 2026HouseCommitteeREFERRED TO JUDICIARY
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
www.nysenate.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance45How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy15Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz20Current news / social attention level
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