Five state legislatures and the District of Columbia are currently in session. The following are highlights of current, active legislation around the country:
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 in the coming weeks.
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 and it’s unclear if the bill will advance during the informal session that ends December 31, 2024.
Michigan – HB 5525 would allow 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. AKC has long been concerned that allowing non-economic damages for pets will implicitly bring into question the legal status of pets as property and is working with the American Veterinary Medical Association and Animal Health Institute in opposition to the bill as written. The bill is under consideration in the House Judiciary Committee. Read more.
Michigan – HB 6012 would prohibit the breed of a dog to be considered by an insurance company when issuing a liability insurance policy for any residence (including homes and rentals). The bill was recently introduced and is pending in the House Insurance and Financial Services Committee.
Michigan – House Bills 6015 and 6016 would further clarify appropriate shelter for dogs outdoors. It clarifies that shelters must provide adequate protection from the elements suitable for the age and condition of the animal, including the thickness and length of the animal’s fur. It also states that adequate protection must include protection or shade necessary to provide good health if the elements and weather conditions pose an extreme risk to the dog’s health or safety. Among other provisions, the bill also prohibits wire or chain link floors easily degraded by the elements, unless the shelter is modified to provide adequate protection suitable for the dog. The bills were recently introduced and are pending in the House Committee on Criminal Justice.
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 on June 18 and are pending committee consideration in the House.
New Hampshire – Legislation is expected that would amend the animal cruelty statute at RSA to 644:8 to insert a definition: “torture” shall be defined as any act or omission that causes intensive or prolonged pain or suffering, causes serious physical injury, or causes the death of an animal due to such act or omission. AKC will provide more information in the coming weeks.
New Jersey – Similar to a bill discussed by a Senate Committee in November 2023, 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. The bill is expected to be scheduled for a committee hearing at a later date and AKC GR has been in communication with the committee chair. AKC GR will work 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. This 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 York – Senate Bill 4993/ A. 6244 would expand 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 support this legislation, which passed both chambers and is awaiting referral to the Governor’s desk. AKC has joined local dog owners in submitting statements of support to the governor on this legislation.
Ohio – House Bill 277 would provide tax 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 on June 10 and awaits consideration by the full House of Representatives. The legislature reconvened on November 13.
Ohio – House Bill 443 would repeal 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 remains pending. The legislature reconvened on November 13.
Ohio – House Bill 539 would expand 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 is closely monitoring this legislation, which had its sponsor hearing in the House Agriculture Committee on June 11. Read more. The legislature reconvened on November 13.
Oklahoma – The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry (ODAFF) has proposed changes to two administrative rules pertaining to dogs.
Docket No. 24-1072 seeks to make changes related to certificates of veterinary inspection. The proposed rules update: (1) The definition of certificate of veterinary inspection by adding, “An APHIS 7001 form shall not be considered an official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection.”; and (2) The Importation of Domestic Companion Animals rule to require a non-APHIS 7001 CVI form to be submitted for importing domestic companion animals into the state.
Docket No. 24-1074 removes language for ODAFF to pay seizure and impound costs of dogs it seized from licensed commercial pet breeders and animal shelters. Currently, if a court finds that ODAFF did not have reasonable belief that the health, safety, or welfare of an animal was endangered or in imminent danger, it may order the immediate return of the seized animals to the licensee and may order it to bear the costs of seizure, impoundment, and return of the animals. The proposal would remove the power of courts to order ODAFF to bear the costs of unreasonable seizure and impoundment, leaving only licensees as those who may be ordered to pay costs.
ODAFF is accepting comments on the proposed rule through December 2, 2024. Click here for more information.
Pennsylvania – Senate Bill 785 establishes a new Animal Welfare Board empowered to review existing laws and regulations related to the keeping and handling of animals and make recommendations for changes. Unlike a short-focused task force, this Board would continue until such a time that legislation was passed to eliminate it, thereby, allowing it to provide review and recommendation to any law or regulation established going forward. The bill has been assigned to the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee. No hearing date has been set for the bill.