Directs Director of Civil Defense and local organizations for civil defense operating or maintaining emergency shelters to make area available to shelter domestic pets.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that our pets enrich our lives in more ways than we sometimes realize. In turn, they depend on us for their safety and well-being. In times of natural disaster, both humans and animals, particularly pet animals, are in danger of the loss of life or serious injury.

However, the legislature finds that, during a civil defense emergency period, most emergency shelters will not accept pet animals due to public health concerns.

The legislature is concerned with the welfare of pet animals during emergencies; however, of equal concern is the fact that many pet owners, worried about their pets' safety, may be dissuaded or delayed in seeking proper shelter in these emergencies. As recent events have shown, many pet owners would put themselves in harm's way rather than abandon their pets.

The purpose of this Act is to direct the director of civil defense and organizations under the direction of the director of civil defense operating and maintaining emergency shelters during civil defense emergency periods, subject to the public's health and safety, to make suitable arrangements and accommodations to provide shelter to pet animals.

SECTION 2. Chapter 128, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§128- Emergency shelters, accommodation of pet animals. (a) During any civil defense emergency period, the director of civil defense and any political subdivision working in cooperation with or other organization working under the direction of the director civil defense in operating or maintaining any emergency shelter open to the public shall make suitable arrangements and accommodations for the sheltering of pet animals during the emergency period, subject to the protection of the public health, safety, and welfare; provided that the accommodations used for sheltering pets need not be subject to criteria developed pursuant to Act 5, Session Laws of Hawaii 2005.

(b) For purposes of this section, "pet animal" shall have the same meaning as that contained in section 711-1100."

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.