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
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.
Upgrading Standards for Egg-Laying Hens (Massachusetts)
An Act to Upgrade Hen Welfare and Establish Uniform Cage-free Standards (HD 596 and SD 212)
Ensures hens are able to engage in vital natural behaviors
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.
The Traveling Exotic Animal Safety Protection Act (Colorado)
Prohibits certain wild animals, including big cats, bears, nonhuman primates, and elephants, from being used in circuses
The Traveling Exotic Animal Safety Protection Act would ban the use of certain wild animals, including big cats, bears, nonhuman primates, and elephants, in entertainment performances in circuses.
Roxy’s Law (New Mexico)
The Wildlife Conservation & Public Safety Act (SB 32)
Bans traps, snares, and poisons on public lands.
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.
Preventing Convicted Wildlife Poachers from Hunting in Massachusetts (Massachusetts)
An Act Further Regulating the Enforcement of Illegal Hunting Practices
Would modernize penalties for illegal hunting and enter Massachusetts in the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact.
Facilitating the Adoption of Dogs and Cats Retired from Laboratories (Massachusetts)
An Act Protecting Research Animals (S.2463)
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.2934 and S.2028)
Prohibit the use of elephants, big cats, primates, giraffes, and bears in circuses and traveling shows in Massachusetts.
Halting Trafficking in Ivory and Rhino Horn (Massachusetts)
An Act Preventing Trafficking in Ivory and Rhino Horns (S.496)
Restricts the sale of ivory and rhino horn in Massachusetts.
Animal Possession Ban (Massachusetts)
An Act relative to the ownership of pets by convicted animal abusers (S.2494)
Bars people convicted of animal cruelty from possessing, adopting, or fostering animals for at least five years after their release from custody.
Banning the Sale of Fur in New York City
Prohibiting the sale of fur apparel (Intro 1476)
Would prohibit the sale of fur apparel, except used fur and fur worn as part of religious custom, in New York City.
Animal Possession Ban (Texas)
Community supervision for defendants convicted of certain criminal offenses involving animals (SB 48 and HB 91)
SB 48 and HB 91 empower judges to prohibit people convicted of animal cruelty from future contact with animals.
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.
