Legislation – State Bills

Strengthening Laws that Protect Animals and Striking Down Laws Hurting Animals

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

Animal Care and Control Omnibus Amendment Act of 2021 (Washington, D.C.)

Bill 24-0560

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.

Banning Cat Declawing (Delaware)

H.B. 333

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.

Prohibiting Landlords from Requiring Cat Declawing (Delaware)

H.B. 386

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.

The Izzy the Cat Act (Delaware)

S.B. 258/S.S. 1

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.

An Act Concerning the Feeding of Black Bear (New Jersey)

A.1967/S.1891

This important “Bear Smart” bill aims to protect black bears in New Jersey by preventing unintentional feeding, a root cause of human-bear interactions.

Prohibit Cat Declawing (California)

AB 2606

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.

Puppy Mill Pipeline Act (New York)

S.1130/A.4283

Prohibits the sale of cats, dogs, and rabbits in retail stores.

Preventing Convicted Wildlife Poachers from Hunting in Massachusetts (Massachusetts)

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

Judiciary ‘Minibus’ Animal Protection Bill (Massachusetts)

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.

Facilitating the Adoption of Dogs and Cats Retired from Laboratories (Massachusetts)

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

Protecting Animals Used in Circuses (Massachusetts)

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.

Oppose: Bill Would Undermine State’s Retail Pet Sales Ban (Illinois)

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.

Banning the Sale of Foie Gras (Portland, OR)

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.

Oppose: SJR 3 Puts Ohio Wildlife in Danger (Ohio)

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.”

Funds to Care for Animal Cruelty Victims (New Jersey)

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.

Protect Domestic Animals from Cruel Conditions with Civil Citations (Massachusetts)

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.

Protecting Puppies and Kittens (Massachusetts)

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.

Promote Alternatives to Cosmetics and Product Testing on Animals (Massachusetts)

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.

Retail Pet Sale Ban (Florida)

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.

Protecting Animals from Rat Poisons (Massachusetts)

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.

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.

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.

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.

Animal Abuse Reporting (Texas)

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.

Empowering Municipalities to Address Pet Shops and Fight Puppy Mills (Connecticut)

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 Advocate Program (Illinois)

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.

Banning Trapping (Vermont)

An Act Relating to Trapping and Hunting (H. 172)

Restricts trapping and bans the use of dogs in hunting black bears

Banning the Sale of Foie Gras (Rhode Island)

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.

Banning the Sale of Fur (Massachusetts)

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

Banning Killing Contests (New York)

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.

Ensure That Dogs and Their Families Can Stay Together (Massachusetts)

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 Advocate Program (New York)

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.

Banning the Sale of Fur (Hawaii)

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.

Banning the sale of fur (Rhode Island)

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.

Ending the Intensive Confinement of Hens Used by the Egg Industry (New Mexico)

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.

Ending the Intensive Confinement of Hens Used by the Egg Industry (Hawaii)

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.

Halting Trafficking in Ivory and Rhino Horn (Massachusetts)

An Act Preventing Trafficking in Ivory and Rhino Horns (S.576/H.903)

Restricts the sale of ivory and rhino horn in Massachusetts.

Banning Coyote Killing Contests (Oregon)

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.

Protecting Animals Used in Circuses (Connecticut)

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

Gestation and Veal Crate Ban (New Jersey)

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.

Mega-Dairy Moratorium (Oregon)

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.

Empowering Local Governments to Pass ‘Rights of Nature’ Initiatives (Florida)

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

Legislation – State Bills

State Bills

Resources

Related Content