AUGUSTA – The House enacted two bills Tuesday aiming to decrease human and animal abuse, which are often linked, said Rep. Deborah Simpson, D-Auburn.

The bills go to the Senate for final enactment.

The first would allow mandated reporters of adult or child abuse the option to disclose any suspicions of animal cruelty.

The second would allow animal control officers to report any suspicions of any type of human abuse.

“This bill acknowledges the important role that animal control officers play in protecting pets and people by granting them liability protection for reporting in good faith,” Simpson has previously said.