12 legislatures and the District of Columbia are in session. The following are highlights of current, active legislation around the country:
California – AB 1382 prohibits the sale and importation of genetically modified pets with cosmetic traits in California, except for modifications that benefit animal health or human interaction, and imposes civil penalties for violations. The bill has advanced out of the Assembly on a 73-0 vote and is now before the Senate for consideration. AKC is monitoring this bill.
California – AB 1999 is a comprehensive bill updating numerous portions of California code impacting veterinary practice. It includes clarifications that vaccinations, microchipping, and artificial insemination do not need to be performed by a veterinarian. It also clarifies what is considered a surgical procedure, among other provisions. AKC is monitoring this bill, which passed the Assembly and is pending in the Senate.
California – AB 2344 addresses animal abuse by enabling expedited forfeiture of abused animals in uncontested cases. The bill has passed the Assembly unanimously and awaits consideration from Senate. AKC is monitoring this bill.
California – AB 2574 revised California law to standardize and enhance due process protections for owners of dogs alleged to be dangerous or vicious, requiring uniform hearing procedures, public notice, and detailed rights notifications statewide. The bill missed deadlines and will not advance this year. AKC monitored this bill.
Colorado – House Bill 26-1183 implements recommendations made in the 2025 sunset review of the Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act (PACFA). AKC and its state federation are closely following this bill, which was signed by the governor in late May. While further amendments were expected, they are now anticipated in the regulatory process after session.
Connecticut – SB 318 sought to establish a work group to study ways to improve the funding of the state’s animal population control program. The bill lists those who must be part of the group, which originally included, “a representative of an animal rights organization.” AKC requested this requirement be amended to include a representative of an animal welfare organization. This change was incorporated into a joint committee substitute that was approved by the Senate in April and the House on May 8th. The bill awaits governor’s action.
Delaware – HB 131 as introduced prohibited retail pet stores from selling dogs or cats. As amended, it exempts a retail pet store that has maintained a license for at least 1 year to continue to sell and transfer dogs if the retail pet store complies with certain requirements, including providing the Office of Animal Welfare with a list of all the breeders and brokers the retail pet store obtained a dog from in the previous 6 months. The bill passed the House but has yet to be scheduled for a full Senate vote.
Illinois – SB 2990/HB 4778 sought to close a loophole in the definition of “dog dealer”. However, it also added numerous new requirements for anyone meeting the current definition of “dog breeder”, which is defined as anyone who owns or harbors at least 6 females “capable or reproduction”. Some of the requirements were unclear and would have proven difficult – if not impossible – for home-based breeders. Senate Bill 2990 narrowly passed committee earlier this year, but was held on the Senate Floor. House Bill 4778 was held in committee and did not advance. Illinois has adjourned its spring session and returns for a brief session in mid-November.
Massachusetts – SB 1458 and HB 2253, opposed by AKC, required persons selling or transferring the offspring of their personally-owned animals to be licensed, inspected and regulated under the state’s authority to oversee pet shops. The Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government released a re-drafted bill, HB 4365, which creates a new “personal breeder kennel” municipal license for anyone with three or more intact females whelping a litter in the preceding 12 months who sell or exchange the offspring. The state would issue regulations within 18 months for commercial breeder and personal breeder kennels to be enforced by the state and municipal animal control officers. S. 1458 was reported favorably, and further referred to the Senate Ways and Means Committee, where it remains pending.
Massachusetts – HB 2319 mandates annual reporting by certain nonprofit animal placement entities on the importation of dogs and cats into Massachusetts. The report must detail the number of dogs and cats brought into Massachusetts during the previous year, including the state or country of origin for each animal, along with identification of the originating source and transporter. AKC supports the bill, which was favorably released by Joint Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries and referred to House Ways and Means.
Massachusetts –– HB 2342 and SB 1459 address provisions regarding dangerous dogs. These include requiring the owner consult with a veterinarian, behaviorist, or trainer to develop a public safety and behavior modification plan that solely employs evidence-based positive training techniques that do not result in pain, discomfort, fear or anxiety and do not use prong or choke collars. Despite concerns raised to the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government, HB 2342 was reported favorably in August 2025, and referred to House Ways and Means. SB 1459 was reported favorably and referred to Senate Rules.
Minnesota – SF 1943 seeks to prohibit pet shops from selling dogs and cats but allows those pet shops that sold or offered animals for sale for at least one year would be “grandfathered” if the animal sold or offered for sale is obtained from a state-licensed or USDA-licensed breeder, and the pet shop discloses the breeder’s state or USDA license number on the animal’s display cage or enclosure. The bill passed the House prior to the legislature’s adjournment.
Missouri – House Bill 2436, supported by AKC, sought to revise laws on the impoundment of animals protecting the due process rights of dog owners, by clarifying procedures for warrants, care, and custody during abuse or neglect cases. The bill restricted premature sterilization or euthanasia before hearings, allows approved third-party care, and outlines bond requirements and owner rights if acquitted. Violations involving unauthorized euthanasia or sterilization carry misdemeanor penalties. The Bill was approved by the Missouri House or Representatives but did not advance in the Senate.
Missouri – House Bill 2567 sought to significantly amend current law and regulate anyone with more than 3 intact females over the age of 6 months kept “for the primary purpose of breeding”. It also struck language in current law that exempted hobby/show breeders from licensing and inspection requirements. Some of these requirements were not compatible with a home-based environment. The bill was filed in response to media reports of a hobbyist in the state being charged with animal cruelty. AKC GR issued an alert urging hobbyists in the state to contact the Speaker of the House and their State Representative to ask them to not hold all hobbyists accountable for the actions of one person. The bill was not referred to a policy committee before the end of session.
Missouri – HB 2292 as introduced would have required certain social workers to report any animal cruelty they believe they encountered while performing their official duties. State workers would have been required to take at least 90 minutes of training in recognizing animal cruelty that would have been developed by the state “in conjunction with (unstated outside) animal welfare organizations”. However, the bill lacked clear definitions and parameters to protect innocent pet owners and ensure proper training. AKC issued an alert highlighting portions of the bill that needed clarification – such as who would develop and provide the training course, and questions on investigations and potential false reporting. AKC’s Missouri federation worked to secure amendments to address concerns. The amended bill passed and is pending on the governor’s desk.
New Hampshire – HB 1274 would seek to increase dog licensing fees by $.25. The increase would also apply to licenses for dogs owned by residents 65 years of age or older. The bill was signed into law on May 22, and becomes effective on July 1, 2026.
New Jersey – A.2516 creates a temporary working group within the New Jersey Department of Agriculture to develop recommendations for ensuring responsible and ethical purebred animal breeding, with a final report due within one year. The bill has been assigned to the Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee with no hearing date yet to be scheduled.
New Jersey – A.4207 establishes a licensure and regulatory system for dog trainers in New Jersey, by creating a dedicated board to set standards, enforce ethical practices, and protect animal welfare and consumer interests. The bill has been assigned to the Assembly Regulated Professions Committee with no hearing date currently scheduled.
New Jersey – S.462 and A.3320 is proposed legislation that would require all pet shops, grooming facilities, animal shelters, and pet daycares to install and maintain video monitoring systems. AKC GR is working with the sponsors to ensure that the bill is for commercially operated entities only and would not impact home-based groomers/boarding or grooming that takes place at events. S. 419 has been referred to Senate Economic Growth Committee with no hearing scheduled. A. 3320 has been referred to Assembly Regulated Professions Committee with no hearing date scheduled.
New Jersey – S.419 and S.434 both prohibit the sale of cats, dogs, or rabbits by pet shops; and repeals “Pet Purchase Protection Act.” S.419 also prohibits certain transactions between animal shelters, pounds, animal rescue organizations, and animal breeders or brokers and contains definitions potentially impacting hobbyists. Both bills have been referred to the Senate Economic Growth Committee with neither currently scheduled for a hearing.
New York – Senate Bill 8252/A. 8653 as introduced would have required all who sell more than 9 puppies a year to be licensed and regulated as commercial pet dealers. AKC and the Associated Dog Clubs of New York State worked in opposition to these bills, which have now been amended to change the definition back to current law. Although AKC was extremely grateful for these changes, concerns and questions remained about bans on the sale of animals not bred/raised by the owner. The bills did not ultimately pass before the end of session.
New York – Senate Bill 3026/Assembly Bill 8551 would ban the practice of debarking unless medically necessary to treat an illness, disease or injury. AKC and its state federation opposed restricting the rights of responsible dog owners to make viable, safe decisions on behalf of their pets in conjunction with their veterinarians. AKC supported the portion of the bill that bans individuals performing these procedures. While both bills passed all policy committees, and S. 3026 passed the Senate, there was no final vote in the Assembly before the end of session.
New York – Assembly Bill 165/Senate Bill 6380 provides numerous guidelines regarding the tethering of dogs outdoors. As amended, the bill does not allow for tethering for over 4 hours, during overnight hours, or in conditions where a dog’s health and safety are at risk. Further amendments requested by AKC and sportsmen were added to protect a variety of dog performance events and activities including hunting, tracking, “winter dog sports”, and training for these activities. A. 165 passed the Assembly Agriculture Committee, but neither it nor its companion bill S. 6380 advanced further before the end of session.
New York – Assembly Bill 6145, like A. 165, sought to regulate the tethering of dogs. This bill provided shelter requirements for dogs tethered outside for more than 30 minutes, and regulates the temperature in which a dog may be tethered outdoors, without accounting for the needs and abilities of various breeds, or considering working, sporting and other dogs that are acclimated to performing tasks outdoors. The bill was held in the Assembly Agriculture Committee.
New York – A. 8375/S. 7612, strongly supported by AKC, provide a toolkit for transitional shelters to better support victims of domestic violence and those experiencing homelessness and their pets. The bills passed the Assembly and Senate. For many years, the AKC has been proud to provide grants to domestic violence shelters so they can better care for victims and their pets. Should the program be signed by the governor, AKC looks forward to working with the state to promote the success of this toolkit and other programs with similar goals to ensure that both these vulnerable members of society and their pets receive the safety and care they deserve. The bills passed the Assembly and Senate.
Oregon – Initiative Petition 28 is an extreme measure that bans many standard husbandry practices and numerous agriculture and other humane animal activities and practices (including hunting), as well as “reasonable handling and training techniques”, all of which are protected under current law. Supporters have met the minimum threshold requirement for signatures, and continue to collect signatures to offset any invalid signatures and errors. If they collect the required number of valid signatures, it will qualify to be on the November 2026 ballot. AKC is working with a broad group in opposition to this proposal. Read more.
Pennsylvania – HB 97 would allow for divorce proceedings to resolve questions regarding custody as it relates to the possession and/or care for a companion animal and recognizes companion animals as property that is different than other types of property. The bill passed the House and is in the Senate Judiciary Committee. AKC GR has had conversation with Senate Judiciary Committee chair to ensure that language is limited to divorce/custody proceedings. It has yet to be scheduled for a Senate hearing.
Pennsylvania – HB 693 is legislation entitled “All Dogs Equal” which would require all kennels licensed by the state to meet the same standards and requirements for the housing, care and well-being of the dogs maintained at their facilities as are presently in place for commercial kennels. Currently, the various other types and classes regulated licenses in PA (boarding kennels, pet shop-kennels, rescue network kennels, etc.) follow less stringent rules and regulation regarding facilities and other protections required by commercial kennels. The bill was referred to the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee and has not yet been scheduled for a hearing.
Pennsylvania – SB 1190 is a Senate companion bill to HB 1816 which seeks to phases out the retail sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in Pennsylvania pet shop-kennels by 2027, instead promoting adoption through humane societies and rescue networks. It also allows for warrantless searches to ensure compliance. It was referred to the Senate Agriculture and Rurals Affairs Committee with no hearing date scheduled.
Pennsylvania – HB 1515 is legislation that prohibits insurers in Pennsylvania from discriminating against homeowners based solely on the breed of dog they own, unless the dog has been legally deemed dangerous, with the new rules applying to insurance policies issued, renewed, or modified 60 days after the law takes effect. The bill has been referred to the House Housing & Community Development and has not yet been scheduled for a hearing.
Pennsylvania – HB 1816 1816 would phase out the retail sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in Pennsylvania pet shop-kennels by 2027, instead promoting adoption through humane societies and rescue networks. It also allows for warrantless searches to ensure compliance. The House Consumer Protection, Technology & Utilities held a hearing on February 24, 2026. No action was taken by the Committee but recommendation to refer to the bill to the House Agriculture Committee was offered by the Committee minority chair. AKC GR submitted written testimony opposing the bill.
Pennsylvania – HB 2387 allows for up to $15,000 in noneconomic damages if a companion animal is killed or sustains fatal injuries due to the intentional, reckless, or negligent act of another person or their animal, in addition to the assessed market value of the animal, which includes purchase cost, training, and veterinary expenses. In cases of non-fatal injury, up to $5,000 in noneconomic damages may be awarded, along with compensation for ongoing veterinary care and related costs. This bill has been assigned to the House Judiciary Committee with no hearing date scheduled.
Rhode Island – AKC expressed opposition to SB 2610, which seeks to allow the rewarding of non-economic damages to owners whose pets have been negligently injured or killed. The bill was held for further study by the Senate Judiciary Committee. The legislature is expected to adjourn on June 30, 2026. Read more.
South Carolina – S 720, titled the “South Carolina Humane Dog Breeding Act,” would have established a statewide regulatory framework for professional dog breeders. Among many provisions, this comprehensive bill outlined definitions and application requirements; authorizes inspections of breeding facilities, dogs, and breeder records; and sets commercial care standards for licensed breeders, including requirements related to housing conditions, sanitation, space, food and water, and daily care of animals. It also included consumer protection provisions related to the sale of dogs and created a mechanism allowing authorities to seize dogs kept in violation of the act. S 720 was defeated by not being heard in the full committee before a late May 2026 recess.
Vermont – H.578 sought to expand definitions and penalties of sexual abuse of animals and to mandate a minimum five-year animal possession ban for cruelty offenders. These are not problematic. However, the bill also sought to establish new procedures for the seizure, care, and recovery of care costs for animals involved in cruelty investigations. Originally, these included the automatic forfeiture of ownership rights in an animal if a defendant failed to make a timely care payment as directed by a court, even if the defendant had not been convicted of cruelty offense. AKC argued that forfeiture procedures should protect the due process rights of indigent defendants and be designed to eliminate risks of erroneously depriving individuals of their property. Amendments to H.578 set care costs at $1/day for food and $250 if veterinary care was determined to be needed at time of seizure. Additionally, the bill was amended to permit courts to consider financial hardship to reduce or waive required security costs. An amended H.578 was approved by the Senate prior to the legislature’s adjournment on May 29, 2026.