Amend the bill in section 4 in subsection 5 in the last line (page 1, line 27 in L.D.) by inserting after the following: " paragraph B." the following: ' A reporter under this subsection may assert immunity from civil and criminal liability under Title 34-B, chapter 1, subchapter 6.'

Amend the bill in section 8 in subsection 6 in the last line (page 2, line 17 in L.D.) by inserting after the following: " paragraph B." the following: ' A reporter under this subsection may assert immunity from civil and criminal liability under Title 34-B, chapter 1, subchapter 6.'

Amend the bill in section 9 in §1901 by striking out all of subsection 3 (page 3, lines 4 to 6 in L.D.)

Amend the bill in section 9 in §1901 by renumbering the subsections to read consecutively.

summary

This amendment clarifies that the immunity provided for good faith reporting that is established in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 34-B is available as a defense to any civil or criminal action brought against a reporter of animal cruelty, abuse or neglect.

Because the reporting is permissive, this amendment deletes the requirement that a report must be made as soon as possible when an immediate response is judged to be necessary.