Legislative briefs for May 24, 2001

Thursday, May 24, 2001 | 10:16 a.m.

Penalties increased for mistreatment

The Assembly went to the animals Wednesday during consideration of an animal mistreatment measure.

Bernie Anderson, D-Sparks, donned a werewolf mask at one point in the debate, and Harry Mortenson, D-Las Vegas, passed out a picture of him hugging a burro.

"Who's who?" joked Speaker Richard Perkins, D-Henderson.

Senate Bill 62, sponsored by Sen. Ann O'Connell, R-Las Vegas, increases penalties for mistreatment of animals and requires those convicted of such measures to undergo counseling. The measure was prompted by last year's torturing of Blu, a bulldog mascot for Centennial High School in Las Vegas.

Mortenson argued he couldn't support a measure that ranked the level of offense based upon the type of animal involved.

Bob Beers, R-Las Vegas, then wondered aloud whether elephants were included in the measure, since donkeys were.

"The level of prosecution is based on the intelligence of the animal," countered Marcia de Braga, D-Fallon.

On a more serious note, some Assembly members objected to an amendment sponsored by Tom Collins, D-North Las Vegas.

Collins' amendment is similar to provisions contained in his failed Assembly Bill 206. It prohibits local governments from enacting measures related to rodeos, animal shows or livestock exhibitions that are more stringent than the state's.

Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas, said that while she was concerned about the amended language, she would vote for the measure on behalf of her English bulldog, Eleanor Roosevelt.

The bill passed 36-6 and is forwarded to Gov. Kenny Guinn for consideration.

Assembly passes bill for babies

The Assembly approved a bill Wednesday mandating that newborns undergo hearing screening at the hospital before discharge.

The measure, which passed 41-1, is aimed at reducing the number one birth defect noticed in infants -- the inability to hear. Don Gustavson, R-Sun Valley, voted against the measure.

Assembly Bill 250, sponsored by Sheila Leslie, R-Reno, allows parents to notify the hospital if they do not want the screening to occur. The measure now goes to the Senate.

If approved and signed into law, the measure would take effect July 1.

Grandparents score victory

Grandparents will have greater visitation rights under a measure approved Wednesday by the Assembly.

Senate Bill 25, sponsored by Sen. Ann O'Connell and Assemblywoman Merle Berman, both R-Las Vegas, allows a district court to grant visitation rights to grandparents, great-grandparents and those who have a meaningful relationship with the child.

The measure would apply in cases where the parent is dead, divorced, separated or has relinquished rights to the child.