Legislation

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

Preventing Future Pandemics Act (Federal)

Federal Legislation

Aims to shut down commercial wildlife markets globally

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The Humane Cosmetics Act (Federal)

Federal Legislation

Substantially restricts the use of animal testing for cosmetic products

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SEE ALL FEDERAL BILLS →

State Bills

Featured State Bills

Banning Killing Contests (New Jersey)

Prohibits harassing or killing certain wildlife species at competitive events (S.1176 / A.1365)

S.1176/A.1365, championed by Senator Nilsa Cruz-Perez (D-5) and Assembly Member Daniel Benson (D-14), would prohibit harassing or killing certain wildlife at competitive events.

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Courtroom Animal Advocate Program (Florida)

Courtroom Animal Advocates (SB 1316/HB 1003)

Courtroom Animal Advocate Program (CAAP) laws allow advocates — supervised law students or volunteer lawyers — to advocate for animal victims in criminal cruelty cases.

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Animal Possession Ban (Massachusetts)

An Act relative to the ownership of pets by convicted animal abusers (S.2494)

Bars people convicted of animal cruelty from possessing, adopting, or fostering animals for at least five years after their release from custody.

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Courtroom Animal Advocate Program (New Jersey)

Courtroom Animal Advocates

Courtroom Animal Advocate Program (CAAP) laws allow advocates — supervised law students or volunteer lawyers — to advocate for animal victims in criminal cruelty cases.

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Allie’s Law (Florida)

Imposes mandatory veterinary reporting of suspected animal abuse (SB 216/HB 47)

Allie’s Law, SB 216/HB 47 requires veterinary professionals to report suspected animal cruelty to law enforcement. It also holds veterinary professionals liable for altering animal medical records to cover up abuse.

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SEE ALL STATE BILLS →

Recent Victories

Recognizing the Right of Waterways to Be Free of Pollution (Orange County, Florida)

‘Right to Clean Water Initiative,’ Charter Question 1 — Public Vote

Recognizes waterways in Orange County, Florida have a right to exist, flow, be protected against pollution, and maintain a healthy ecosystem

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Protecting Wildlife from Harmful Poisons (California)

California Ecosystems Protection Act (AB 1788)

Places safeguards on the use of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides

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Ending the Shark Fin Trade (Florida)

The Kristin Jacobs Ocean Conservation Act (SB 680)

Limiting the sale, import, and export of shark fins

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Strengthening the State’s Retail Pet Sale Ban (California)

Bella’s Act (AB 2152)

Bella’s Act, AB 2152, strengthens California’s retail pet sale ban and helps ensure pet stores do not profit off animals bred in mills.

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SEE ALL VICTORIES →