21 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 advanced unanimously out of two committees and awaits action by the full Assembly. AKC is monitoring this bill
California – AB 2574 revises 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 awaits consideration from the Assembly Appropriations Committee. AKC is monitoring this bill.
California – AB 2609 limits additional rent and security deposits that California landlords can charge tenants for common household pets. The bill missed legislative deadlines and will not advance this year. AKC monitored this bill.
Colorado – House Bill 26-1011 would ban sales by brokers and pet stores, and includes many false and inflammatory comments about commercial breeders. It was signed by the governor with an amendment that portions will not be enacted until 2028.
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 has passed the House and Senate and is pending final approval. 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.
Connecticut – HB 5264 sought to make changes to multiple dog-related statues. AKC opposed HB 5264 because sections 4 and 5 of the bill confused crimes against persons with property-related or animal cruelty offenses. Connecticut’s criminal laws already distinguish crimes against persons from crimes against property for a reason: they protect fundamentally different interests and carry different moral weight. After a substitute was approved by the Joint Insurance and Real Estate Committee, the bill failed to gain any additional traction prior to the legislature’s adjournment on May 8, 2026.
Connecticut – Originally, HB 5283 sought to give Connecticut cities and towns the authority to locally ban pet retail sales of dogs, cats, and rabbits. The bill temporarily passed the House on May 4th, and an amendment was accepted that would have created a state-level ban of the retail sales of dogs, cats, and rabbits at pet stores unless sourced from a shelter, pound, or adoption/rescue organization. The House did not further consider HB 5283 before the May 8th adjournment.
Delaware – HB 131 prohibits retail pet stores from selling dogs or cats. It further authorizes retail pet stores to collaborate with animal shelters and animal rescue organizations to offer space to showcase dogs or cats for adoption. Retailers will receive a civil penalty of no more than $500 for each prohibited sale. The bill passed the House on January 20, 2026, and has been assigned to the Senate Health & Social Committee. On May 13, the Senate Health & Social Services Committee amended the bill to allow a retail pet store that has maintained a retail dog outlet license for at least 1 year before the effective date of the Act to continue to sell or transfer dogs if the retail pet store complies with certain requirements, including to 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 has yet to be scheduled for a full Senate vote.
Florida – As passed, SB 1004 reflects a significantly narrowed approach compared to earlier versions of HB 1521. The final bill directs the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation to develop and publish a list of voluntary best practices related to animal adoption, breeding, and care. Importantly, the final version removes the creation of a formal regulatory program, instead focusing on voluntary guidance and recommendations for stakeholders. For purposes of the consumer protection law, the bill also increases the sales thresholds to qualify as a pet dealer, to three litters sold per year (from two) or 30 dogs sold per year (from 20).
Illinois – SB 2990 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. The bill passed committee, but was ultimately held in the Senate and is not likely to advance in the spring session.
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. S.1459 was reported favorably and referred to Senate Ways and Means.
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 is now on second reading in the House. The legislature is expected to adjourn on May 18, 2026.
Missouri – House Bill 2436 revises 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 restricts 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 has not yet been voted out of the Senate Agriculture Committee. AKC supports HB 2436.
Missouri – House Bill 2567 would require licensure and inspection of all breeders – including hobbyists. This could include requiring hobbyists to comply with requirements that may not be possible for someone breeding a litter in their private home. The bill was filed in response to media reports of a hobbyist in the state being charged with animal cruelty. AKC GR has 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 has been referred to the Emerging Issues Committee, but not scheduled for a hearing. Session is expected to adjourn at the end of May.
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 has passed both the House and Senate.
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.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 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 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. AKC is working with key staff and lawmakers on amendments to clarify remaining provisions regarding bans on the sales of dogs not bred by the owner. A. 8653 as amended passed the Assembly Agriculture Committee and is pending in Assembly Codes. S. 8252 has also been amended and remains pending in Senate Agriculture.
New York – Senate Bill 3026/A. 8551 would ban the practice of debarking unless medically necessary to treat an illness, disease or injury. AKC and its state federation oppose these bills, which have passed their respective Agriculture committees and are pending votes in the Senate and Assembly.
New York – Assembly Bill 165 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. AKC GR is asking for clarifications on provisions regarding the temperatures when a dog may be tethered, and the impact on tethering at dog events, for grooming, or sporting/hunting. The bill passed the Assembly Agriculture Committee on May 19 and is pending in the Assembly Codes Committee.
New York – Assembly Bill 6145, like A. 165, seeks to regulate the tethering of dogs. This bill provides 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 is pending in the Assembly Agriculture Committee.
Oklahoma – House Bill 3391 required licensed commercial dog breeders to include their license number on advertisements for dogs. HB 3391 passed out of the Oklahoma House of Representatives but failed after missing a key deadline for Senate consideration.
Oklahoma – House Bill 3930 updates state law on service, emotional support, and therapy animals. It clarifies definitions, requires sellers and verifiers of emotional support animals to provide written notice that these animals do not have the same legal rights or training as service animals, and sets fines for violations. The bill aims to prevent misrepresentation, enhance consumer transparency, and protect access rights for individuals with disabilities. The bill passed the Oklahoma House and is awaiting a hearing in the Senate Committee on Health and Human Servies. AKC is monitoring this bill.
Oklahoma – House Bill 4335 addresses the regulation of retail pet shops and updates existing statutes related to animal shelter operators and commercial pet breeders. The bill explicitly prohibits counties and municipalities from banning or restricting the retail sale of dogs and cats at licensed pet shops, while allowing them to adopt and enforce rules and ordinances concerning the operation of those businesses, provided they comply with the Commercial Pet Breeders and Animal Shelter Licensing Act and other applicable state laws. The bill passed the Oklahoma House on March 5, 2026, but ultimately failed without receiving a hearing the 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 are close to collecting enough signatures for it to qualify to be on the November 2026 ballot. AKC is working with a broad group in opposition to this proposal.
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 – HB 879 would permit the Attorney General to investigate and institute criminal proceedings for a felony offense regarding cruelty to animals if requested by a district attorney, or if the district attorney fails to respond to a request from the Attorney General’s office to prosecute. This would permit the attorney general to assist in or handle the prosecuting of large-scale animal cruelty cases in counties. It passed the House Judiciary Committee on October 27, 2025, but has not been scheduled for a House floor vote. AKC is monitoring this legislation.
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 – 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 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. Read more.
South Carolina – S 720, titled the “South Carolina Humane Dog Breeding Act,” would establish a statewide regulatory framework for professional dog breeders. Among many provisions, this comprehensive bill outlines 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 includes consumer protection provisions related to the sale of dogs and creates a mechanism allowing authorities to seize dogs kept in violation of the act. The Department of Agriculture would be authorized to adopt regulations necessary to implement the law. S 720 is currently pending in the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. This bill has not been heard in the full committee. AKC has worked on amended language and will continue to monitor.
Vermont – H.578 seeks 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 seeks 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 have 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 has been approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee and re-referred to the Senate Finance Committee. The bill remains pending in the Senate. The legislature is expected to adjourn by the end of May.
Virginia – SB 707 makes it unlawful for any person engaged in the practice of veterinary medicine to perform a surgical devocalization procedure on a dog, except when such procedure is necessary to treat or relieve any injury, disease, or congenital defect that is causing or may cause the dog physical pain or harm. This is a substitute version of the bill approved by Senate Agriculture, Conservation, and Natural Resources Committee and referred to the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee for a fiscal note. The bill was signed by Governor Abigail Spanberger on April 13, 2026, and takes effect on July 1, 2025.