Five state legislatures and the District of Columbia are currently in session. The following are highlights of current, active legislation around the country:
California – AB-2042 is an amended version of AB 742 from 2023 and would have directed the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), on or before January July 1, 2026, to develop guidelines, as specified, for the use of canines by law enforcement, including guidelines concerning canine deployment and a prohibition on using canines for crowd control. Additionally, each law enforcement agency with a canine unit would have needed to have a police canine policy compliant with POST guidelines by July 1, 2027. Although the bill advanced out of the Assembly and the Senate Public Safety Committee, it was held in the Senate Appropriations Committee and will not advance this year. AKC appreciates the outreach from the author’s office on this bill and will continue to monitor similar proposals.
California – AB-3241 would require the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), on or before January 1, 2026, to adopt uniform, minimum guidelines regarding the use of canines by law enforcement, including legal standards established by the bill, and, on or before July 1, 2026, and to certify courses of training for all law enforcement canine handlers and those law enforcement supervisors directly overseeing canine programs. The bill would also require each law enforcement agency with a canine unit to annually publish a report of the use of canines on its website. AKC is working with the author’s office and will continue to monitor the proposal. The bill has advanced out of the Assembly, Senate Public Safety Committee, and the Senate Appropriations Committee. It awaits further action from the full Senate.
California – AB 1988 would allow for shelters to immediately adopt out kittens and puppies to a nonprofit organization, animal rescue organization, or adoption organization if requested by the organization in the specific circumstance of owner surrenders. It has passed the Assembly, the Senate, and signed by the governor. AKC will monitor its implementation.
California – SB 1459 would have required, beginning January 1, 2026, public animal control agencies or shelters or private animal shelters with local contracts for animal care to update any data that they make available on their internet website at least once per month, and would have required those agencies and shelters to publish specified information on their website, including the number of animals taken in during the prior month and the outcomes for animals over the prior month. Although the bill passed the Senate and the Assembly Business and Professions Committee, it was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee and will not advance this year. AKC will monitor similar proposals in the future.
California – AB 2248 would have banned the sale of dogs and cats in scenarios where either the following were satisfied: the contract requires a nonrefundable deposit or contract does not reveal the source of the dog or cat. These conditions would have applied to “brokers” (resale) of dogs and cats. Although the bill passed the Assembly and the Senate Judiciary Committee, it was held in the Senate Appropriations Committee and will not advance this year. AKC will monitor similar proposals in the future.
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 and is pending with Governor John Carney for his signature or veto. AKC GR has made numerous contacts to the Governor’s office to encourage his veto.
Florida – CS/HB 7073 among other provisions, reenacts state sales tax holidays on certain disaster preparation supplies. AKC GR and the Florida Association of Kennel Clubs supported a provision that applies to supplies used for the evacuation of pets, purchased for noncommercial use. The bill was signed by the Governor as Chapter 2024-158. The final dates for this year’s sales tax holiday are August 24-September 6, 2024. Read more.
Louisiana – HB 213 amends and reenacts the crime of negligent homicide and provides for increased penalties when a person is killed by a dog or other animal and the owner is criminally negligent. HB 213 was signed the Governor, became Act No. 261, and took effect August 1, 2024
Louisiana – HB 407, among other provisions, prohibits healthcare providers from producing documentation relating to need for a support animal unless they satisfy requirements that would include a therapeutic relationship with the individual, prohibits misrepresentation of service dogs, and limits liability for owners and lessors for damages caused by a service dog or support animal. AKC monitored HB 407 through the legislative process and supports this legislation as last amended. HB 407 was signed by the Governor, became Act. No. 558, and took effect August 1, 2024.
Louisiana – SB 476 criminalizes the use of bait dogs in training dogs for dog fighting. AKC GR proposed an amendment to clarify and strengthen the definition of “bait dog” to include any dog abused as a bait dog, regardless of its temperament. SB 476 was signed by the Governor, became Act No. 359, and took effect August 1, 2024.
Massachusetts – In response to dog injuries and deaths at dog day care facilities, HB 2019 and SB 1309 have been 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 authorize 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 have 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 an amended bill, HB 4919 and passed it. The Senate then inserted new text for HB 4919 as SB 2929 and passed it. Differences are detailed here. The measure awaits further action from the House Committee on Bills in Third Reading. 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.
Massachusetts – SB 876/HB 1367 would prohibit housing authorities and certain housing agreements from discriminating against tenants based upon the size, weight or breed of dog owned. They also prohibit insurance companies from discriminating based upon dog breed. The bills were referred to the Joint Committee on Housing, which gave HB 1367 a favorable recommendation in March and is now pending in the Committee on House Ways and Means. AKC supports the bill. The Legislature ended formal lawmaking for the year on August 1 and this bill did not advance.
Massachusetts – HB 747, HB 826, SB 549, and SB 550 would require Massachusetts licensed pet shops or future pet shops to only provide the public with dogs and cats sourced from animal shelter or rescue organizations. In AKC’s experience, the number of puppies produced by responsible breeders does not satisfy demand. Shelter and rescue animals are not the best option for every family that wants a pet. AKC issued an alert and provided testimony in opposition to these bills at the Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources’ public hearing. AKC is opposed and issued an update. The bill was re-drafted and voted favorably as SB 2820 before being sent to the Senate Ways and Means Committee. The Legislature ended formal lawmaking for the year on August 1 and this bill did not advance.
Massachusetts – HB 4241 is an abuse and exploitation prevention bill that would also define “coercive control” allowing issuance of restraining orders when a person commits or threatens to commit cruelty or abuse to animals connected to the family or household member. AKC supports the bill. It passed the House and was amended in the Senate Ways and Means Committee before being released for further amendment and adoption by the full Senate as SB 2703. A conference committee resolved differences in the two bills and released HB 4744 which was enacted and signed by the Governor as Chapter 118 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.
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 is before 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 believes injury preventing canine dewclaw removal on puppies less than five days would be considered cruelty and has expressed these concerns. 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 and SB 2552 did not advance.
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 – House Bill 5878 would put a measure on the November 2024 ballot regarding bond for care of an animal if the owner is suspected of violating the state’s cruelty and negligence laws. A bond would be required to pay for the care of the animals during a trial. If however, the court finds the prosecution has a preponderance of evidence that the owner committed the crime, the animals will be forfeited even if a bond is paid. Otherwise, the owner must pay for a bond throughout the trial in order to avoid the forfeiture of animals. If the owner is found not guilty, they will get their money back and their animals – assuming that the animal wasn’t already forfeited. The bill has been assigned to 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 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 committee hearing in September. GR will work with allied organizations in opposing the bill and its companion bill, S.2511.
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.
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 82 was originally introduced to provide for license fee exemptions for those service dogs which are used in the performance of services by a fire department, sheriff’s office or in the performance of rescue services or medical emergency services. The language from HB 2413 was amended into the bill during a Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee meeting and passed the Senate on June 26, 2024. AKC GR worked with members of the General Assembly to expand the exemption language which ultimately resulted in the bill being further amended by the House to remove the requirement for a certificate of veterinary inspection if the dog is to be boarded for less than 30 days. Governor Shapiro signed the bill on July 9, and it goes into effect on September 6, 2024.
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.