Child and Animal Abuse Detection and Reporting Act

This bill proposes an amendment to the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) . Its primary goal is to mandate the Secretary of Health and Human Services to incorporate data concerning animal abuse into the existing national clearinghouse for information related to child abuse and neglect. The legislation specifically defines animal abuse broadly, encompassing any act or omission causing undue pain, suffering, or death to an animal, regardless of whether it violates state or local cruelty laws. By collecting this data, the bill seeks to enhance understanding of the potential links between animal cruelty and child welfare issues, thereby improving detection and reporting efforts.