Six state legislatures and the District of Columbia are currently in session. The following are highlights of current, active legislation around the country:
California – September 30 was the last day for Governor Gavin Newsom to sign or veto bills passed by the Legislature over the two-year session. From the American Kennel Club’s (AKC) perspective, California’s legislative session concluded quietly. Read AKC’s end of session summary here.
Delaware – HB 124 would prohibit owners from allowing dogs to bark continuously for more than 15 minutes, or intermittently for more than 30 minutes per day. It provides exemptions for dogs barking if a person is trespassing on private property; an animal is intruding on private property; or the dog is being teased or provoked. The bill also exempts dogs located in animal shelters; pet stores; dog grooming facilities; veterinarian offices; animal clinics; boarding facilities; and dog daycare. The sponsor agreed to AKC’s request to also exempt dogs engaged in any lawful activity including training, hunting, performance events, herding, etc. AKC GR has continuously pointed out that the bill seeks a statewide solution to a local nuisance issue and expressed concerns about the likelihood of barking dogs being used for neighbor disputes, and the inability of animal control to be able to consider cases on an individual basis. The bill passed the General Assembly on June 30, 2024. AKC GR made numerous contacts to the Governor’s office to encourage his veto; however, he signed it into law on October 9, 2024. The bill becomes effective in one year. Read more.
Massachusetts – In response to dog injuries and deaths at dog day care facilities, HB 2019 and SB 1309 were re-filed as “Ollie’s Law” and would impose requirements such as staffing ratios for boarding, training, dog day care, breeding and personal kennels. They would have authorized animal control officers to inspect and tell you how many dogs you are allowed to own and enforce a new “personal breeder kennel” license for anyone with more than 4 intact female dogs over 6 months who transfers any offspring. Personal breeder kennels and commercial breeder kennels would be held to the same future regulations. Details are in AKC’s alert. The Joint Municipalities and Regional Government Committee favorably released Senate and House companion mirror bills, HB 4564 and SB 2731, which moved to their respective Ways and Means Committees. AKC is appreciative the committee removed the anti-breeder text from the bill. More details are here. On July 25, House Ways and Means released and passed an amended bill, HB 4919. The Senate then inserted new text for HB 4919 as SB 2929 and passed it. Differences are detailed here. The Legislature ended formal lawmaking for the year on August 1 but on September 13, the House accepted the Senate amendments and the Senate immediately sent the bill to the Governor. It was signed into law on September 20 as Chapter 213 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 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 protecting 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 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 and are pending committee consideration in the House.
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. 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 is currently on recess and will not likely be in session until late fall.
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 is currently on recess and will not likely be in session until late fall.
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 is currently on recess and will not likely be in session until late fall.
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 and session ends November 30, 2024.