Legislation
Strengthening Laws that Protect Animals and Striking Down Laws Hurting Animals
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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
The Humane Cosmetics Act (Federal)
Federal Legislation
Substantially restricts the use of animal testing for cosmetic products
Safe Line Speeds in COVID-19 Act (Federal)
Federal Legislation
Suspends the USDA’s authority to issue new waivers related to line speeds in slaughterhouses and suspend current waivers during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Farm System Reform Act (Federal)
Federal Legislation
The Farm System Reform Act would overhaul the United States’ cruel and environmentally destructive animal agricultural industry, in part, by placing a moratorium on the largest factory farms.
State Bills
New York Cruelty Free Cosmetics Act (New York)
Prohibits the manufacture or sale of cosmetics tested on animals after January 1, 2022 (A.5653-A/ S.4839)
The New York Cruelty Free Cosmetics Act, A.5653-A/S.4839, would prohibit the manufacture or sale of most cosmetics tested on animals after January 1, 2022.
Legislation Page Traveling Animal and Public Safety Protection Act (North Carolina)
HB 594 prohibits the use of wild animals in traveling acts in North Carolina.
Wild animals in traveling acts and circuses are subjected to neglect, abusive training, and prolonged confinement. HB 594 prohibits the use of wild animals in traveling acts, like circuses, in North Carolina.
Protecting Animals in Rodeos (New York)
Prohibits certain acts, including “calf roping,” in rodeos (A.2124)
A.2124, sponsored by Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal (D-67), would prohibit some of the cruelest elements of rodeos.
Ending the Intensive Confinement of Egg-Laying Hens (Nevada)
Mandating hens be provided cage-free environments as well as vital enrichments (AB 399)
Egg-laying hens are among the most abused animals in the country yet have few legal protections. AB 399, sponsored by the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources, would mandate cage-free conditions for hens, outlawing battery cages.
Cross-Reporting Suspected Abuse (Florida)
Requires cross-reporting of suspected abuse by child protective investigators and animal control officers (SB 96)
SB 96, sponsored by Senator Lauren Book (D-32), would require child protective investigators and animal control officers to report suspected animal and child abuse. Additionally, the bill strengthens penalties for the sexual abuse of animals.
Cross-Reporting Suspected Abuse (New Jersey)
Mandates veterinary and inter-agency reporting of suspected abuse (A.4880/S.3168)
Communication between government agencies is critical to helping ensure multiple forms of abuse — including animal abuse — are exposed and addressed. A.4880/S.3168 would mandate veterinary and inter-agency reporting of suspected animal abuse.
Recent Victories
Roxy’s Law (New Mexico)
The Wildlife Conservation & Public Safety Act (SB 32)
Bans traps, snares, and poisons on public lands.
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
Protecting Wildlife from Harmful Poisons (California)
California Ecosystems Protection Act (AB 1788)
Places safeguards on the use of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides
Ending the Shark Fin Trade (Florida)
The Kristin Jacobs Ocean Conservation Act (SB 680)
Limiting the sale, import, and export of shark fins
Legislative Program Team
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Kim Kelly
Director of Legislative Affairs -
Alicia Prygoski
Legislative Affairs Manager -
Jennifer Hauge
Legislative Affairs Manager -
Kathleen Schatzmann
Senior Legislative Affairs Manager -
Stephanie Harris
Senior Legislative Affairs Manager
Related News
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Chelsea Handler, Ethan Hawke, Bill Maher, and Dozens of Celebrities Urge New Jersey Legislators to Ban Gestation and Veal Crates
Actors Paul Wesley, Christina Ricci, Stevie Van Zandt and dozens of native and resident celebrities join the Animal Legal Defense Fund in an open letter urging the state’s legislators to end the intensive confinement of mother pigs and calves in New Jersey.May 10, 2021 Press Release -
Massachusetts: Ask Your State Representative to Help Protect Animals from Rat Poisons
Ask your state legislators to co-sponsor HD.4206.May 5, 2021 Action Alert -
Big Cat Public Safety Act Reintroduced in Senate
Bill aims to help end the rampant abuse of tigers and other big cats in captivity by banning private possessionApril 20, 2021 Press Release
