SB1442 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB100 10916 SLF 21152 b

100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2017 and 2018
SB1442

Introduced 2/9/2017, by Sen. Michael E. Hastings

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

20 ILCS 205/205-203 new
725 ILCS 5/Art. 113A heading new
725 ILCS 5/113A-1 new

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that in a prosecution of a case involving the injury, health, or safety of an animal, the court may, on its own motion or motion of any party, appoint a special advocate to assist the court, as deemed appropriate by the court, and represent the interests of justice regarding the health or safety of the animal. Amends the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois Department of Agriculture Law. Provides that the Department of Agriculture shall compile a list comprised of pro bono attorneys and law students from each county who may serve as special advocates for these cases.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning special advocates in animal cases.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Department of Agriculture Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois is amended by adding Section 205-203 as follows:

(20 ILCS 205/205-203 new)

Sec. 205-203. Compilation of special advocates for animal cases. The Department of Agriculture shall compile a list of pro bono attorneys and law students from each county who may serve as special advocates in the prosecution of cases involving the injury, health, or safety of an animal as provided in Section 113A-1 of the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. For the purposes of this Section, "law student" means a law student licensed under Supreme Court Rule 711 or attached to a legal aid bureau, legal assistance program, organization, or clinic chartered by this State or approved by a law school approved by the American Bar Association.

Section 10. The Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963 is amended by adding the heading of Article 113A and Section 113A-1 as follows:

(725 ILCS 5/Art. 113A heading new)

ARTICLE 113A.

SPECIAL ADVOCATES

(725 ILCS 5/113A-1 new)

Sec. 113A-1. Special advocates. In a prosecution of a case involving the injury, health, or safety of an animal, the court may, on its own motion or motion of any party, appoint a special advocate to assist the court, as deemed appropriate by the court, and represent the interests of justice regarding the health or safety of the animal. If the court appoints a special advocate in the case, the court may consult with a list of pro bono attorneys and law students compiled by the Department of Agriculture for that purpose.