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

An Act Relating to the Sale of Dogs and Cats by Pet Stores (Texas)

H.B. 870/S.B. 1989

A proposed bill in Texas would prohibit pet stores across the state from selling dogs and cats. Instead, stores would be encouraged to partner with animal shelters and rescue organizations to offer animals for adoption.

An Act Prohibiting the Removal of Claws from Cats (New Hampshire)

H.B. 231

New Hampshire lawmakers are considering a ban on declawing, a surgical procedure in which all or part of the last bone in a cat’s toes is amputated. Declawing can have lifelong medical implications and adversely affect behavior.

Pet Animal Ownership In Housing (Colorado)

H.B. 1068

The Colorado Pet Animal Ownership in Housing bill, H.B. 1068, contains several provisions to increase protections for both companion animals and their families.

Prohibiting harmful practices and devices at rodeos (Los Angeles, CA)

Council File: 20-1575

Proposed Los Angeles ordinance would prohibit the use of harmful practices, techniques, and devices at rodeos or rodeo-related events

Humane Protection of Animals Act (Massachusetts)

SD 2295/HD 3285

The Humane Protection of Animals Act (SD 2295/HD 3285) contains a collection of provisions that strengthen and clarify Massachusetts’ animal cruelty laws.

Cat Declawing Ban (Virginia)

H.B. 1382

Virginia lawmakers are considering prohibiting cat declawing, the surgical amputation of all or part of the last bone in a cat’s toes. It can have lifelong medical implications and stops a cat from exhibiting natural behaviors.

Ryder’s Law

Intro 573

Proposed New York City legislation will phase out and ban horse-drawn carriages in the city and replace them with horseless, electric carriages.

Recognizing Animal Sentience (New York City)

City Council Resolution 260

New York City Resolution 260 will officially recognize “that animals are sentient beings entitled to respect and consideration, protection from abuse, neglect and cruelty, and the maximization of their welfare.”

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.

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.

Judiciary ‘Minibus’ Animal Protection Bill (Massachusetts)

S.2672

Proposed omnibus bill includes provisions to prevent animal suffering in four ways.

Protecting Animals Used in Circuses (Massachusetts)

An Act Relative to the Use of Elephants, Big Cats, Primates, and Bears in Traveling Exhibits and Shows (S.2197/S.2189/H.3245)

Prohibits the use of certain wild animals in circuses and traveling shows in Massachusetts.

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 (S.2994)

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)

SD 2181/HD 2216

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 (SB 800/HB 849)

This bill 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 (SD 1144/HD 577)

Would reduce the use of rat poisons in Massachusetts to protect wild animals as well as companion animals

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 (HB 1169)

The Illinois Courtroom Animal Advocate Program (CAAP) bill, HB 1169, 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 5437/SB 202)

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 (HD 3117/SD 2266)

Bans the sale of new fur products, including clothing, fashion accessories, and home décor, in the Commonwealth

Banning Killing Contests (New York)

S.4099/A.2917

Proposed legislation 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.1659/A.111)

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 Products Act (HB 5258)

In Rhode Island, An Act Relating to Criminal Offenses — Trade in Animal Fur Products Act (HB 5258) 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.

Protecting Animals Used in Circuses (Connecticut)

An Act Concerning the Use of Certain Animals in Traveling Animal Acts (HB 5123)

Prohibits the use of certain 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.

Factory Farm Moratorium (Oregon)

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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