Twenty-six state legislatures and the District of Columbia are currently in session. The following are highlights of current, active legislation around the country:
Connecticut – S.B.166 would impose penalties to prevent fraud and abuse by persons claiming to have service animals. It has been referred to the Joint Committee on Human Services.
Connecticut – S.B.182 would authorize use of health savings or flexible spending accounts for veterinary expenses. It has been referred to the Joint Committee on Insurance and Real Estate.
Connecticut – S.B.272 and S.B. 267 would allowing emergency medical services personnel to provide emergency treatment and transportation to police animals injured under certain circumstances. These have been assigned to the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Security.
Connecticut – H.B.5055 would allow veterinarians to deviate from standard vaccine dosage protocols when it is deemed beneficial for the health and well-being of the animal, including permitting veterinarians to use a rabies antibody titer test to assess whether an animal requires a rabies booster vaccine. It has been referred to the Joint Committee on Public Health.
Connecticut – S.B. 342 would amend the general statutes to limit the liability of municipalities for injuries that occur in skateboard parks or dog parks that they maintain. It has been referred to the Joint Committee on Judiciary.
Maine – Three dog related bills are anticipated for 2025 consideration: establishing a certified rabies vaccinator role; authorizing the Animal Welfare Advisory Council to create subcommittees that can fulfill council responsibilities; and creating a new state “kennel” license, in addition to the current “municipal kennel license,” for any person with 5 or more dogs kept in a single location under one ownership for breeding, hunting, show, training, field trials, sledding, competition or exhibition purposes. AKC will provide more information when the text is available.
Maine – L.D. 133 would amend the laws regarding nuisance dogs. AKC is monitoring and will provide more information when available.
Maine – L.D. 88 would update penalties for violating the laws governing agriculture and animals and the Maine weights and measures law. AKC is monitoring and will provide more information when available.
Massachusetts – As introduced in 2023, SB 190 would prohibit the declawing of cats unless a therapeutic reason offered by a veterinarian deemed it necessary and performed the surgery. After a favorable report by the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure it was sent to Senate Ways and Means Committee. In January, SB 190 was amended and released as SB 2552 before passage in the Senate. SB 2552 went to the House Ways and Means Committee and would prohibit the declawing of animals unless a therapeutic reason offered by a veterinarian deemed it necessary to perform the procedure. AKC expressed concerns that injury preventing canine dewclaw removal on puppies less than five days would be considered cruelty under the bill and requested an amendment to preserve this traditional animal husbandry practice. On June 24 a House amendment to H. 4789 was filed with text removing AKC’s concerns by clarifying that the ban would pertain only to cats. The amendment was not adopted. The Legislature ended formal lawmaking for the year on August 1, but on December 30 House Ways and Means adopted amendment H.5160 limiting the bill’s scope to cats and it was quickly agreed to by the Senate. The bill was signed into law and is now Chapter 345 of the Acts of 2024.
Massachusetts – HB 1718 and SB 1142 would establish a taskforce of Massachusetts lawyers and MSPCA/ARL-Boston to review cruelty laws and make recommendations including whether to establish a domestic animal cruelty misdemeanor charge; prohibit sale of animals under 8 weeks and transferring animals roadside with few exceptions; and allow for animal seizure and owner’s payment of board pending court action for suspected neglect. AKC testified in support of the humane care provisions of the bills and requested the committee ensure due process protections and consistent terminology. The Joint Judiciary Committee released a re-draft, now SB 2757, that narrows the bill’s scope to prohibit selling of animals under 8 weeks and transferring animals roadside with few exceptions. The Senate Rules Committee amended and favorably released the measure on July 29 as SB 2908. The amendment also prohibits animal shelters and rescues from transferring animals under 8 weeks of age. After Senate passage, SB 2908 was referred to the committee on House Steering, Policy and Scheduling. The Legislature ended formal lawmaking for the year on August 1 but on December 30 the House enacted SB 2908 and it was quickly enacted by the Senate and the Governor signed it into law January 8.
Massachusetts – SD 134 would impose restrictions on individuals convicted of animal abuse by prohibiting them from owning or accessing animals for a specified period. For a first offense, the prohibition lasts at least five years from the date of conviction or release from custody, whichever is later, and extends to at least fifteen years for subsequent offenses.
Massachusetts – H.D.383 would establish The Massachusetts Veterans Service Dog Program.
Massachusetts – S.D.133 would standardize courts’ consideration of pets In divorce and separation by allowing “joint custody”. AKC believes as property, the court ought to use the legal term “ownership” instead of “custody” which applies to children.
Massachusetts – H.D.336 would impose a temporary possession ban of animals for animal abusers.
Massachusetts – H.D.419 would require veterinarians seeking license renewal to provide evidence of completing continuing education as required by the board’s regulations. For veterinarians who have temporarily retired or moved out of the state, it would allow for up to re-registration within 5 years by paying the lapsed license fee and submitting an affidavit.
Massachusetts – S.D.189 would focus on the protection and valuation of pets, specifically cats and dogs, including fair monetary value of the deceased animal to its owner, compensation for the loss of comfort, protection, companionship, and other special damages such as the recovery of reasonable afterlife expenses, court costs, and attorney’s fees.
Michigan – HB 5525 as introduced would have allowed for non-economic damages for the injury or death of a service animal. AKC understands the emotional pain that can result when a beloved dog is injured or killed. However, AKC opposes the awarding of non-economic damages related to the injury or death of an animal. The bill was amended by the House to address AKC’s concerns and limit the proposal to actual damages. The bill did not ultimately pass before the end of session.
Michigan – Senate Bills 657 and 658 address the issue of animals being seized on cruelty charges, and the payment of their care during impoundment. These bills, like legislation introduced in the previous session, could cause a person accused of cruelty to permanently forfeit their animals even if they are ultimately found not guilty of charges. AKC appreciates that the bills clarify that if the owner is found not guilty, the animal must be returned to the owner. However, the return appears to be incumbent on whether or not the owner has kept up on cost of care payments during the trial. The bills passed the Senate and a House committee but did not ultimately become law.
Montana – L.C. 4237 seeks to revise regulations concerning service dogs. The proposal has been sent for formal drafting and AKC will follow closely.
Montana – L.C. 3366 looks to establish service dog and handler protections. The proposal has been sent for formal drafting and AKC will follow closely.
Montana – L.C. 4148 seeks to revise law concerning bird dog training licensing. The proposal has been sent for formal drafting and AKC will follow closely.
New Hampshire – LSR 2025-1090 would amend the animal cruelty statute at RSA to 644:8 to insert a definition for “torture”. AKC will provide more information when the bill text is available.
New Hampshire – HB240 would remove the penalty for non-payment of dog licenses.
New Hampshire – HB 86 would increase the cost of service for notice of civil forfeiture of unlicensed dogs to the rate for certified mail.
New Hampshire – HB250 would enable local governing bodies to regulate the muzzling of dogs.
New Hampshire – HB153 would require that two or more law enforcement officers in each county receive training regarding animal cruelty.
New Hampshire – HB262 would impact the group licenses for dogs by raising certain licensing fees and limiting the number of dogs allowed by a holder of a group license.
New Hampshire – HB267 would exempt individuals with degrees in veterinary medicine or chiropractics who have completed a nationally recognized animal chiropractic program from veterinary licensure requirements.
New Hampshire – HB272 would exempt certain agricultural practices from municipal quiet hours.
New Hampshire – HB 202 would make changes to the Duties of the Fish and Game Commission.
New Hampshire – SB 32 would make changes to the Fish and Game Commission. The bill Ought to Pass Committee with Amendment.
New Hampshire – S.B.50 would establish a committee to study the regulation of private animal boarding facilities.
New Jersey – A.4051 seeks to prohibit the sale of cats, dogs, and rabbits by pet shops. It also would impose an expansive definition of pet dealer (any person engaged in the ordinary course of business in the sale of cats or dogs to the public for profit OR any person who sells or offers for sale more than five cats or dogs in one year) without substantively addressing its impact (including how the sale of puppies from one large litter would qualify someone as a pet dealer, and whether the definition would trigger local zoning issues for those described as a pet dealer under the bill). Perhaps most shockingly, the bill seeks to completely repeal New Jersey’s Pet Purchase Protection Act, which allows for consumer restitution if an animal they purchase becomes seriously ill or dies within 14 days after purchase and a veterinarian certifies that the animal as unfit for purchase. A 4051 had a hearing in the Assembly Commerce, Economic Development and Agriculture Committee for the purpose of issuing a substitute. With minor changes, the substitute was approved on December 16, 2024, but not voted out of the Committee. AKC GR continues to stay in communication with the committee chair and has worked with allied organizations in opposing the bill and its companion bill, S.2511.
New Jersey – S.3277 requires transfer of certain excess animal control funds to prosecutors, municipalities, police departments, and Police Training Commission for enforcement of animal cruelty laws and training humane law enforcement officers. his bill was reported from the Senate Economic Growth Committee on October 10, 2024, and has been referred to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.
New Jersey – A.5173 is proposed legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Bill Spearman, Assembly Commerce, Economic Development and Agriculture Committee chair, which establishes a Responsible Animal Breeding Working Group within Department of Agriculture to study the sourcing of dogs. In the proposed legislation, a representative of AKC is included in the working group as well as the New Jersey Federation of Dog Clubs.
New York – Senate Bill 4993/ A. 6244 would have expanded the opportunities for owners to bring dogs to state parks, so long as they are in compliance with certain rules and regulations. AKC and local clubs supported this legislation, which passed both chambers overwhelmingly but was vetoed by the governor.
New York – As with past years, AKC GR is already monitoring over 100 bills with the potential to impact dog owners, including Senate Bill 1802, which would ban ear cropping and tail docking and has been assigned to the Senate Agriculture Committee. This bill, like the majority of those already introduced, have been introduced in numerous past sessions. To date, no hearings have been set for bills of concern. AKC GR will continue to closely monitor and provide more information when available.
Ohio – House Bill 277 would have provided credits to landlords who allow pets. This is a request from local shelters, who hope this will incentivize allowing renters to keep their pets, which may help with shelter population issues. Recent amendments in the House Ways and Means include a cap on the amount of tax credit that can be collected and allowing landlords to limit the number of pets on the property. They would not, however, be permitted to have breed-specific bans or policies. The bill passed the House Ways and Means Committee but did not advance further prior to the end of session.
Ohio – House Bill 443 would have repealed a current law that protects the ability of pet stores to sell dogs in the state. AKC is concerned about this proposal, which would limit pet choice and restrict the current protections for the humane sourcing of dogs to pet stores in the state. The bill had its first hearing in the House Government Oversight Committee but did not advance.
Ohio – House Bill 539 would have expanded the number of breeders subject to state licensing by redefining “high volume dog breeder” as anyone who owns six or more “breeding dogs” and sell directly to the public. AKC closely monitored this legislation and issued an alert. It had a sponsor hearing in committee but did not advance.
South Carolina – H 3034 (also known as Fargo’s, Hyco’s, Rico’s, Coba’s, Wick’s and Mikka’s Law) seeks to strengthen protections for police dogs and horses by expanding prohibited conduct such as teasing or harming the animal, increasing penalties, and requiring restitution for violations. AKC supported similar legislation introduced in a previous session. It is assigned to the House Committee on Judiciary.
Vermont – H.14 would prohibit the use of animals in product testing.
Virginia – SB 903 expands provisions relating to the restriction on a pet shop to only sell dogs procured from certain sources and prohibits a pet shop from selling an animal procured from a person if such person does not hold a valid license to breed within the Commonwealth. It was referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources but was pulled by the sponsor in subcommittee.
Virginia – SB 916 as introduced authorized the governing body of any locality to regulate or restrict by ordinance the acquisition, marketing, and sale of animals in a pet shop, provided that such ordinance is consistent with state law. A substitute bill was passed by the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources to instead establish a work group “to analyze and evaluate currently collected data on the sale of dogs and cats by pet shops.” The group will include animal welfare organizations and pet shops among others. AKC is closely monitoring this legislation, which is pending consideration by the full Senate.