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
Providing Key Protections for Agricultural Workers (Colorado)
Bill Would Help Protect Colorado’s Tens of Thousands of Farm Workers
An Act Concerning Agricultural Workers’ Rights (SB 87) would help protect Colorado’s tens of thousands of farm workers by establishing whistleblower protections, fairer compensation for labor, and protections other workers already access through Colorado’s
Funding Critical Health Services for Animals In Need (Massachusetts)
State Budget Allocates Funds for Spay, Neuter, and Vaccination Services
Amendments to Massachusetts state budget would allocate funds to the Mass Animal Fund (Fund), which provides critical animal health services—including spay and neuter surgeries and vaccinations—to animals in need.
Upgrading Standards for Egg-Laying Hens (Massachusetts)
An Act to Upgrade Hen Welfare and Establish Uniform Cage-free Standards (H.864/S.36)
Upgrades conditions for egg-laying hens by mandating access to enrichments that allow engagement in vital natural behaviors
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 elephants, big cats, primates, giraffes, and bears 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.
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.
Animal Abuse Reporting (Texas)
Mandates animal cruelty be reported to law enforcement in certain situations (HB 4330)
HB 4330 would require veterinarians and certain employees at the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and Department of Family and Protective Services to report suspected animal abuse.
Combatting Wildlife Trafficking (Connecticut)
An Act Prohibiting The Import, Sale And Possession Of African Elephants, Lions, Leopards, [Rhinoceros] And Giraffes (SB 925)
Restricts the import, possession, sale, or transportation of body parts of African elephants, lions, leopards, black rhinos, white rhinos, and giraffes in the state
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)
An Act To Provide for the Well-being of Companion Animals upon the Dissolution of Marriages (LD 535), would require judges to consider relevant factors when determining with whom the animal will live.
Ag-Gag (Texas)
Creates an Ag-Gag Law in Texas (HB 1480/SB 472)
HB 1480/SB 472 would create an Ag-Gag law in Texas — preventing the public from learning about animal cruelty.
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.
Racketeering of Aquatic and Wild Animal Life (Florida)
Adds wildlife crimes to the list of racketeering offenses (HB 783/SB 776)
Racketeering of Aquatic and Wild Animal Life (HB 783/SB 776) would add wildlife crimes to the list of racketeering offenses, allowing further penalty to those who illegally take, kill, sell, purchase, or possess wild animals under Florida’s RICO Act.
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)
SB 969/HB 32 would ban the manufacture and sale of new fur products in Hawaii, with certain exceptions.
Banning the sale of fur (Rhode Island)
An Act Relating to Criminal Offenses – Trade in Animal Fur Act (HB 5188)
HB 5188 would ban the sale of new fur products in Rhode Island, with exceptions including for used fur products or fur products used in the practice of a religion.
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)
Mandating hens be provided cage-free environments as well as vital enrichments (SB 347)
The Confinement of Egg-Laying Hens Act (SB 347) would mandate cage-free conditions for hens, outlawing battery cages — tiny wire cages where each hen is given less space than a sheet of printer paper to spend her entire life.
Ending the Intensive Confinement of Egg-Laying Hens (Hawaii)
Mandating hens be provided at least one square foot of space per bird as well as vital enrichments (HB 538/SB 346)
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 6049)
In 2020, Orange County, Florida passed a groundbreaking “rights of nature” initiative, the first of its kind by a U.S county. HB 6049 empowers local governments to recognize or grant certain legal rights related to the natural environment.
Courtroom Animal Advocate Program (New Jersey)
Courtroom Animal Advocates
Courtroom Animal Advocate Program (CAAP) laws allow advocates — supervised law students or volunteer lawyers — to advocate for animal victims in criminal cruelty cases.
Retail Pet Sale Ban (Florida)
Prohibits retail pet stores from selling puppies and kittens (HB 45/SB 1138)
HB 45/SB 1138, sponsored by Representative Sam Killebrew (R-41) and Senator Jason Brodeur (R-9), prohibits pet stores from selling dogs and cats. Instead, stores can partner with animal shelters and rescues to offer adoptable animals.
Allie’s Law (Florida)
Imposes mandatory veterinary reporting of suspected animal abuse (SB 216/HB 47)
Allie’s Law, SB 216/HB 47 requires veterinary professionals to report suspected animal cruelty to law enforcement. It also holds veterinary professionals liable for altering animal medical records to cover up abuse.
Prohibiting the Sale of Cosmetics Tested on Animals (New Jersey)
Prohibits the sale of cosmetics that were developed or manufactured using animal tests on or after Jan. 1, 2020 (A.795/ S.1726)
The New Jersey Humane Cosmetics Act, A.795/ S.1726, would prohibit the sale of cosmetics that were developed or manufactured using animal tests on or after January 1, 2020.
Banning Killing Contests (New Jersey)
Prohibits harassing or killing certain wildlife species at competitive events (S.1176 / A.1365)
S.1176/A.1365, championed by Senator Nilsa Cruz-Perez (D-5) and Assembly Member Daniel Benson (D-14), would prohibit harassing or killing certain wildlife at competitive events.
Dogs in Hot Cars (New Jersey)
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.
Retail Pet Sale Ban (New York)
Puppy Mill Pipeline Act (S.1130 and A.4283)
Prohibits the sale of cats, dogs, and rabbits in retail stores
Animal Possession Ban (New Jersey)
Moose’s Law (S.1258 and 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 Advocate Program (Florida)
Courtroom Animal Advocates (SB 1316/HB 1003)
Courtroom Animal Advocate Program (CAAP) laws allow advocates — supervised law students or volunteer lawyers — to advocate for animal victims in criminal cruelty cases.
Animal Possession Ban (Massachusetts)
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
Preventing Convicted Wildlife Poachers from Hunting in Massachusetts (Massachusetts)
An Act Further Regulating the Enforcement of Illegal Hunting Practices (H.904/S.587)
Modernizes penalties for illegal hunting and enters Massachusetts in the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact
Protecting Companion Animals in Hot Cars (Texas)
Civil liability for removing certain animals from a motor vehicle (HB 762)
Protects Good Samaritans in Texas who rescue domestic animals (dogs, cats, and other domesticated animals that are kept as companion animals) from motor vehicles by granting civil immunity under certain circumstances.
Bella’s Bill
Overhauling New York’s Cruelty Laws
Proposes an overhaul New York’s outdated animal cruelty laws, allowing for stronger sentences for animal cruelty.
