HEART Act of 2019

To amend title 18, United States Code, with respect to civil forfeitures relating to certain seized animals, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Help Extract Animals from Red Tape Act of 2019 HEART Act of 2019 2. Reduced notice period (a) Notice timing for cases of animal seizure Section 983(a)(1)(A) of title 18, United States Code, is amended— (1) in clause (i), by inserting and subject to clause (vi), Except as provided in clauses (ii) through (v), (2) by adding at the end the following: (vi) In the case of a civil forfeiture proceeding relating to an animal seized under section 26 of the Animal Welfare Act ( 7 U.S.C. 2156 (I) 30 days 60 days (II) 30-day 60-day . (b) Notice procedures for cases of animal seizure Section 983(a)(1) of title 18, United States Code is amended— (1) in subparagraph (B), by inserting , and, in the case of a civil forfeiture proceeding relating to an animal seized under section 26 of the Animal Welfare Act ( 7 U.S.C. 2156 if the official determines that the conditions in subparagraph (D) are present (2) in subparagraph (C), by inserting , and, in the case of a civil forfeiture proceeding relating to an animal seized under section 26 of the Animal Welfare Act ( 7 U.S.C. 2156 that the conditions in subparagraph (D) are present (3) by adding at the end the following: (G) In the case of a civil forfeiture proceeding relating to an animal seized under section 26 of the Animal Welfare Act ( 7 U.S.C. 2156 (i) the cost to the Government of caring and providing shelter for the animal; (ii) the psychological and physical health of the animal and the effect the delay will have on the rehabilitation of the animal; and (iii) any increased risk that the delay could necessitate euthanizing the animal. . 3. Seizures of animals (a) Payment for certain costs Section 524(c)(1) of title 28, United States Code, is amended— (1) in subparagraph (H), by striking and (2) in subparagraph (I), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and (3) by inserting after subparagraph (I) the following: (J) payment for the transportation of, shelter of, care for, veterinary services provided to, and, when appropriate, humane euthanasia of an animal seized under section 26 of the Animal Welfare Act ( 7 U.S.C. 2156 . (b) Reimbursement and proportionality Section 983(h) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: (4) Civil forfeiture proceedings involving animals (A) In general Subject to subparagraph (B), in any covered proceeding in which the Government prevails, the court shall require the claimant to reimburse the United States for any actual and reasonable costs incurred by the Government for transportation of, shelter of, care for, veterinary services provided to, and, when appropriate, humane euthanasia of an animal that was the subject of the covered proceeding. (B) Reduction The court may reduce the amount of a reimbursement described in subparagraph (A) on the basis of— (i) the seriousness of the offense; (ii) the culpability of the claimant; (iii) the prior record of the claimant; (iv) the financial condition of the claimant and any need of the claimant to support a family; and (v) the purpose of the civil forfeiture statute in question. (C) Application A reimbursement described in subparagraph (A) shall be credited to— (i) the agency that paid the costs being reimbursed; or (ii) the fund that was used to pay the costs being reimbursed. (D) Definition In this paragraph, the term covered proceeding 7 U.S.C. 2156 .

Summary: Help Extract Animals from Red Tape Act of 2019 or the HEART Act of 2019 This bill modifies notice requirements in a civil forfeiture proceeding that involves the seizure of an animal involved in animal fighting. Specifically, the government must notify interested parties of an animal's seizure within 30 days (currently, 60 days). The notice period may be extended only if a delay is warranted after considering certain factors, including the cost to the government of providing shelter for the animal, the health of the animal and the effect of a delay on its rehabilitation, and any increased risk that a delay could necessitate the euthanasia of the animal. Additionally, the bill authorizes amounts in the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund to be used to pay for costs associated with a seized animal, including transportation, shelter, care, veterinary services, and humane euthanasia.