The Animal Legal Defense Fund works at the 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 state and local levels.
State Bills
Bill would implement a retail pet sale ban in Washington, D.C.; prohibit cat declawing in the District; criminalize the sexual abuse of animals; ban the possession of dogfighting implements; and make additional improvements for animals.
Delaware lawmakers are considering banning cat declawing, a surgical procedure in which all or part of the last bone in a cat’s toes is amputated. It can have lifelong medical implications and stops a cat from exhibiting natural behaviors.
As the law stands now in Delaware, landlords may require a tenant to declaw a cat as a condition for entering into or renewing a rental agreement. If House Bill 386 is enacted, it would prohibit landlords from imposing this requirement.
When a companion animal is harmed by another person’s actions, Delaware law currently limits monetary damages to the animal’s “fair market value.” A new bill would instead allow the animal’s guardian to recoup the cost of veterinary care.
This important “Bear Smart” bill aims to protect black bears in New Jersey by preventing unintentional feeding, a root cause of human-bear interactions.
California could become the next state to ban declawing, a surgical procedure in which all or part of the last bone in a cat’s toes is amputated. It can have lifelong medical implications and prevents cats from performing natural behaviors.
Prohibits the sale of cats, dogs, and rabbits in retail stores.
An Act Further Regulating the Enforcement of Illegal Hunting Practices (H.4442)
Modernizes penalties for illegal hunting and enters Massachusetts in the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact
An Act Addressing Investigations of Reports of Animal Abuse and Neglect (S.2672)
Proposed omnibus bill includes provisions to prevent animal suffering in four ways.
An Act Protecting Research Animals (H.901)
Requires dogs and cats at research institutions or product testing facilities be offered for adoption through a non-profit animal shelter or rescue or through private placement once the research ends, if a necropsy is not mandated
An Act Relative to the Use of Elephants, Big Cats, Primates, and Bears in Traveling Exhibits (H.3376/S.2251)
Prohibits the use of certain wild animals in circuses and traveling shows in Massachusetts.
An act to add Section 22348 to the Financial Code, relating to consumer loans (A.B. 2380)
This California state bill prohibits the financing of purchases of dogs and cats, often used in the sale of animals bred in puppy or kitten mills and sold online.
An act concerning regulation (H.B. 4643)
Would jeopardize an important humane reform and once again enable pet stores to sell commercially bred puppies and kittens.
Proposed ordinance would ban the sale of foie gras
Would prohibit the sale or provision of certain products made by force-feeding ducks and geese.
An Act Relating to Animal Abuse (S.B. 420 / H.B. 435)
Legislation would increase penalties for the sexual abuse of animals and address additional animal-related offenses.
Ohio Senate Joint Resolution 3 would allow for hunting and fishing using inhumane “traditional” hunting and trapping methods and mandate hunting and fishing as a “preferred means of managing and controlling wildlife.”
New Jersey Cost of Care Bill (A.2354/S.981)
Currently, New Jersey animal care agencies bear the cost of caring for animal cruelty victims, an expense that can be financially overwhelming. The Cost of Care bill would address this problem.
An Act Enhancing the Issuance of Citations for Cruel Conditions for Animals (H.1840/S.1097)
Allows Massachusetts law enforcement officers to remediate situations involving animals kept in cruel conditions by issuing civil citations.
An Act Protecting the Health and Safety of Puppies and Kittens in Cities and Towns (H.2148/S.1322)
Known as the “Puppies and Kittens Bill,” this proposed legislation would establish or update several critical protections for puppies, kittens, and their guardians.
An Act Concerning the Use of Animals in Product Testing
Bill would require manufacturers and their contract testing facilities to use methods that replace animal testing of products and ingredients for cosmetics, household cleaners, and industrial chemicals.
Prohibits retail pet stores from selling puppies and kittens (H.B. 253)
H.B. 253, sponsored by Rep. Sam Killebrew (R-41), would prohibit pet stores from selling dogs and cats. Instead, stores would be able to partner with animal shelters and rescue organizations to offer animals for adoption.
An Act Relative to Pesticides (H.3991)
Would decrease the use of rat poisons in Massachusetts by mandating the use of “Integrated Pest Management” (IPM) plans on public lands and publicly-owned property.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mandates animal cruelty be reported to law enforcement in certain situations (HB 4330)
HB 4330 did not advance in the 2021 legislative session. However, the Animal Legal Defense Fund is committed to refining the language of the bill to improve its chances for legislative success in the 2023 session.
An Act Concerning Municipal Restrictions on Pet Shops (HB 6542)
Clarifies Connecticut towns and cities have the authority to place restrictions on pet shops, including passing retail pet sale bans to fight puppy mills
Courtroom Animal Advocates (SB 153)
The Illinois Courtroom Animal Advocate Program (CAAP) bill (SB 153) would provide for a volunteer attorney to advocate for cat and dog victims in cruelty cases.
An Act Relating to Trapping and Hunting (H. 172)
Restricts trapping and bans the use of dogs in hunting black bears
Force-Fed Poultry Products Act (HB 6663)
Prohibits restaurants and retailers from selling any force-fed poultry product or food containing a force-fed poultry product.
An Act Prohibiting the Sale of Fur Products (H.965/S.623)
Bans the sale of new fur products, including clothing, fashion accessories, and home décor, in the Commonwealth
Prohibits harassing or killing certain wildlife species at competitive events (A.5746)
A.5746, championed by Assembly Member Deborah Glick (D-66), would prohibit harassing or killing certain wildlife at competitive events.
An Act to Maintain Stable Housing for Families with Pets in an Economic Crisis and Beyond (H.1437/S.885)
Extends housing protections for animal guardians during the COVID-19 emergency and helps prevent discrimination in housing and property insurance based on a dog’s breed.
Courtroom Animal Advocates (S.3525/A.5315)
Courtroom Animal Advocate Program (CAAP) laws allow advocates — supervised law students or volunteer lawyers — to advocate for animal victims in criminal cruelty cases.
An Act Relating to Animal Fur Products (SB 969/HB 32)
Bans the manufacture and sale of new fur products in Hawaii, reducing the demand driving the fur industry.
An Act Relating to Criminal Offenses – Animal Fur Products Act (HB 7361/SB 2646)
In Rhode Island, An Act Relating to Criminal Offenses – Animal Fur Products Act (HB 7361/SB 2646) would ban the sale of new fur products in the state, including fur clothing and fashion accessories.
Confinement of Egg-Laying Hens Act (SB 347)
The Confinement of Egg-Laying Hens Act (SB 347) would require that, by 2022, hens used by the egg industry and raised in New Mexico live in cage-free conditions — outlawing battery cages — and that eggs sold in New Mexico meet this same standard.
Bans the intensive confinement of hens used by the egg industry as well as the sale of eggs from hens kept in such conditions
An Act Relating to Farm Animals (HB 538/SB 346) would ban the intensive confinement of hens used by the egg industry in Hawaii as well as ban the sale of eggs from hens kept in such cruel conditions by 2026.
An Act Preventing Trafficking in Ivory and Rhino Horns (S.576/H.903)
Restricts the sale of ivory and rhino horn in Massachusetts.
Prohibits persons from conducting or participating in events that have the goal of taking coyotes for cash or prizes (HB 2728)
Killing contests refer to events or tournaments where participants compete to kill as many animals as possible during a specified time period. Cash and prizes are awarded to those who kill the most animals or the largest or smallest animal.
An Act Prohibiting the Use of Wild or Exotic Animals in Traveling Animal Acts (HB 5293)
Prohibits the use of wild animals in circuses and traveling shows
Prohibits the intensive confinement of mother pigs and calves used for veal (A.1970/S.1298)
A.1970/S.1298, sponsored by Senator Vin Gopal and Assemblyman Raj Mukherj, would ban gestation crates and veal crates, mandating mother pigs and calves have enough space to turn around freely, lie down, stand up, and fully extend their limbs.
Creates a moratorium on the construction or expansion of mega-dairies (HB 2924/SB 583)
HB 2924/SB 583, sponsored by Representative Rob Nosse and Senator Michael Dembrow, would create a moratorium on the construction of new mega-dairies as well as the expansion of existing mega-dairies, defined as more than 2,500 cows.
Provides local governments the power to recognize certain legal rights related to the natural environment (HB 6003)
In 2020, Orange County, Florida passed a groundbreaking “rights of nature” initiative, the first time county voters considered this type of charter in the country. Unfortunately, the Florida state legislature enacted a statute in 2020 that contains languag
Courtroom Animal Advocates (A.1965/S.2211)
Courtroom Animal Advocate Program (CAAP) laws allow advocates — supervised law students or volunteer lawyers — to advocate for animal victims in criminal cruelty cases
Prohibits harassing or killing certain wildlife species at competitive events (A.502)
Proposed legislation, A.502, would prohibit harassing or killing certain wildlife at competitive events.
Protecting Good Samaritans Who Rescue Dogs in Hot Cars (S.1175/A.4540)
Provides civil and criminal immunity to people who in good faith rescue an animal from a motor vehicle under dangerous conditions.
Animals: Prohibitions on Importation and Possession of Wild Animals: Live Animal Markets (SB 1175)
Bans the importation and sale of live wild animals that pose a zoonotic disease risk as well as the possession of certain endangered species or their body parts
Moose’s Law (S.1258/A.2319)
Prohibits people convicted of criminal animal cruelty offenses from possessing domestic companion animals for at least two years and from working or volunteering at animal-related enterprises.
Courtroom Animal Advocates (SB 172)
Courtroom Animal Advocate Program (CAAP) laws allow advocates — supervised law students or volunteer lawyers — to advocate for animal victims in criminal cruelty cases.
An Act Relative to Protecting Animals From Abusers (H.1824/S.1111)
Bars people convicted of animal cruelty from possessing, adopting, or fostering animals for at least five years after their release from custody
Civil liability for removing certain animals from a motor vehicle (HB 762)
While HB 762 received a hearing and passed out of its House committee, it did not advance all the way through the legislative process this session.
Overhauling New York’s Cruelty Laws
Proposes an overhaul New York’s outdated animal cruelty laws, allowing for stronger sentences for animal cruelty.
Phasing Out Orcas in Captivity
Would prohibit breeding captive orcas, prohibit the transport of orcas into Florida, and that any public displays must be strictly educational.