H.R. 712 — Child and Animal Abuse Detection and Reporting Act

This section expands the functions of the national clearinghouse for information relating to child abuse and neglect—established by HHS to collect and disseminate data and best practices on child maltreatment—by requiring it to maintain and disseminate information on the incidence of child abuse and neglect cases related to animal abuse (i.e., any act or failure to act resulting in undue pain, suffering, or death to any animal, without regard to state or local cruelty laws).