MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - A new package of proposed bills may require non-profits and shelters to require background checks on animal adopters. The legislation would would allow shelters to look for any history of convicted animal abuse in the Michigan State Police online criminal history database, known as ICHAT, which currently requires a ten dollar user fee.

"We adopt out thousands of animals every year. We probably screen up to five thousand applicants every year, so we are looking at a $50,000 expenditure for us annually, and that is essentially what the bill is requiring. So, if there was a cost that we would have to incur, it would be a hardship for us," says Julia Palmer, the President and CEO of the Capital Area Humane Society.

Senator Rick Jones says that the legislation is still being tweaked and will likely waive the fee for shelters and non-profits. Jones hopes to have the final legislation introduced in September.