The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.New Jersey Bill A304 Sets $5,000 Minimum Pain and Suffering Damages for Pet Deaths from Vet Malpractice
Last action · January 13, 2026: Introduced, Referred to Assembly Regulated Professions CommitteeSponsor: Paul Kanitra
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What This Bill Would Do
New Jersey bill A304 requires veterinarians, veterinary hospitals, and veterinary facilities found liable for the death of a pet cat or dog due to or to pay the pet owner at least $5,000 in pain and suffering damages, effective immediately upon enactment.
Pet owners gain a statutory right to minimum cash compensation for emotional loss in successful suits against veterinary providers, while veterinary practices face mandatory financial liability beyond standard veterinary costs and animal valuation.
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.
pet owners
Pet owners gain the legal entitlement to a court-awarded minimum of $5,000 in pain and suffering damages if their cat or dog dies due to veterinary malpractice or negligence.
veterinarians, veterinary hospitals, and veterinary facilities
Veterinary providers face mandatory financial liability of at least $5,000 per incident for pain and suffering when found liable for the death of a pet cat or dog due to malpractice or negligence.
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 triggers the $5,000 pain and suffering award under this bill?
Does this replace reimbursement for vet bills or the animal's value?
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- Jan 13, 2026HouseIntroducedIntroduced, Referred to Assembly Regulated Professions Committee
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
njleg.state.nj.us
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance60How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy45Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz25Current news / social attention level
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