Legislation
Strengthening Laws that Protect Animals and Striking Down Laws Hurting Animals
The Animal Legal Defense Fund works at the federal, state and local levels to advance important legislation. We advocate for laws that promote or protect the lives and interests of animals, and we oppose legislation that would be detrimental to animals’ well-being.
We also work closely with the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s other programs to identify opportunities to create model legislation that address strategic legal issues in the areas of civil and criminal law, and monitor legislation that impacts animals at the federal, state, and local levels.
Federal Bills
Strengthening Welfare in Marine Settings (SWIMS) Act (Federal)
Mink VIRUS Act (Federal)
Goldie’s Act (Federal)
The Humane Cosmetics Act (Federal)
State Bills
State-level advocacy actions are available for those states in session. Each state has its own legislative schedule, holding sessions on predefined intervals.
Room to Roam Act (California)
Helping Animal and Human Victims Alike Escape Domestic Violence (Rhode Island)
Poison-Free Wildlife Act (California)
Online Companion Animal Sales Restrictions (California)
Humane Pet Store Bill (New Jersey)
A Bill to Ban the Sale of Fur Products (Hawaii)
Recent Victories
A Bill to Strengthen Cruelty Laws (Oregon)
Octopus Farming Ban (Washington)
Cosmetics Testing Ban (Washington)
Banning Killing Contests (New York)
Legislative Program Team
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Kim Kelly
Director of Legislative Affairs -
Alicia Prygoski
Strategic Legislative Affairs Manager -
Allison Ludtke
Legislative Affairs Manager -
Jennifer Hauge
Senior Legislative Affairs Manager -
Kathleen Schatzmann
Strategic Legislative Affairs Manager -
Stephanie Harris
Senior Legislative Affairs Manager
Related News
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Urge Federal Legislators to Support the SWIMS Act!
The Strengthening Welfare in Marine Settings (SWIMS) Act would end the exploitation and mistreatment of orcas, beluga whales, pilot whales, and false killer whales held in captivity by amending the Marine Mammal Protection Act to prohibit the capture, importation, or exportation of these species for public display. -
Pennsylvania: Protect Captive Wild Animals from Dangerous Public Contact!
The Pennsylvania General Assembly is considering a bill, H.B. 1451, that would address a harmful regulatory change adopted by the Pennsylvania Game Commission that is currently permitting captive wild animal exhibitors to sell public contact experiences with wild animals. -
Kansas: Urge Lawmakers to Oppose Unconstitutional Ag-Gag
The Kansas legislature is considering a harmful bill, H.B. 2816, that would stop whistleblowers and animal advocates from exposing animal cruelty by criminalizing undercover investigations at animal agriculture facilities such as puppy mills, factory farms, and slaughterhouses.