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

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.”

Support: Funds to Care for Animal Cruelty Victims (New Jersey)

New Jersey Cost of Care Bill (S.4058 / A.6099)

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 domestic animals kept in cruel conditions before they escalate to felony cruelty by issuing civil citations.

Oppose: Pet Protection Act (Florida)

Would preempt new local retail sales bans for cats and dogs and would also prohibit municipalities from enacting any further safeguards against puppy and kitten mills. (SB 994/HB 849)

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.

Provide Funding for Retired Law Enforcement Dogs’ Veterinary Care (Florida)

Florida’s Care for Retired Law Enforcement Dogs Program Act would provide funding for retired law enforcement dogs’ vet care

The Care for Retired Law Enforcement Dogs Program Act would create a program to provide funding for the veterinary care of dogs formerly used in law enforcement. (H.B. 25/S.B. 226)

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.

The Healthy Future Students and Earth Act Would Expand Student Access to Healthful Foods

Many U.S. students are seeking out plant-based options. The Healthy Future Students and Earth Act would provide grant funding to schools wishing to expand student access to these foods.

Oppose: The EATS Act Would Undermine State Farmed Animal Protection Laws

This action is for US residents only.

The EATS Act would undermine states’ ability to enact laws affecting agricultural practices, jeopardizing numerous state-level farmed animal protection laws.

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.

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.

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

An Act Protecting Research Animals (H.890/H.901/S.613)

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

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.

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.

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.

Creating a Companion Animal Custody Law (Maine)

An Act To Provide for the Well-being of Companion Animals upon the Dissolution of Marriages (LD 535)

Requires judges to consider the well-being of the companion animal and certain relevant factors when determining with whom the animal will live

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 (SB 471/HB 5731)

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.

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 – Trade in Animal Fur Act (HB 5188)

In Rhode Island, An Act Relating to Criminal Offenses – Trade in Animal Fur Act (HB 5188 A) would ban the sale of new fur products in the state, including fur clothing and fashion accessories.

Banning Live Animal Markets (Los Angeles)

Prohibiting the sale of live animals for human consumption (Motion 20-0425)

The Los Angeles City Council is considering a measure, Motion 20-0425, that would ban the sale of living animals for human consumption in the city.

Ending the Intensive Confinement of Egg-Laying Hens (New Mexico)

Confinement of Egg-Laying Hens Act (SB 347)

The Confinement of Egg-Laying Hens Act (SB 347) would require that, by 2022, egg-laying hens 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 Egg-Laying Hens (Hawaii)

Bans the intensive confinement of egg-laying hens in Hawaii 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 egg-laying hens in Hawaii as well as ban the sale of eggs from hens kept in such cruel conditions by 2026.

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 Animals in Circuses, Carnivals and Exhibitions (SB 66)

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 (S. 3401/A. 5236)

S.3401/A.5236, 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

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