1. a. An institution of higher education that uses cats or dogs for educational, research, or scientific purposes, or a research institution that contracts with an institution of higher education for the use of cats or dogs for educational, research, or scientific purposes, shall require the assessment of the health of a cat or dog and determine whether it is suitable for adoption after the completion of any testing or research involving the cat or dog. If the institution determines that the cat or dog is suitable for adoption, the institution shall offer the cat or dog to an animal rescue organization or private individual for adoption. An institution required to offer cats or dogs for adoption pursuant to this section may enter into an agreement with an animal rescue organization or private individual to implement this section on an on-going basis.

b. An institution that provides a cat or dog to an animal rescue organization or private individual pursuant to this section shall be immune from any civil liability arising from the transfer of the cat or dog, provided the institution has acted in good faith concerning the suitability of the cat or dog for adoption.

c. An institution required to offer cats or dogs for adoption pursuant to this section may establish guidelines or other qualifications in order to determine if a cat or dog is suitable for adoption, or to determine whether an animal rescue organization or private individual is qualified to receive a cat or dog for adoption pursuant to this section.

d. As used in this section, “animal rescue organization” means the same as that term is defined in section 1 of P.L.1941, c.151 (C. 4:19-15.1).

L.2019, c.414, s.1.