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
Retail Pet Sale Ban (New York)
Puppy Mill Pipeline Act (S.4234 and A.6298)
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.
Strengthening the State’s Retail Pet Sale Ban (California)
Bella’s Act (AB 2152)
Bella’s Act, AB 2152, would strengthen California’s retail pet sale ban and help ensure pet stores do not profit off animals bred in mills.
Courtroom Animal Advocate Program (California)
Riley’s Law (AB 2645)
Courtroom Animal Advocate Program (CAAP) laws allow advocates — supervised law students or volunteer lawyers — to advocate for animal victims in criminal cruelty cases.
Courtroom Animal Advocate Program (Florida)
Courtroom Animal Advocates (S. 1048)
Courtroom Animal Advocate Program (CAAP) laws allow advocates — supervised law students or volunteer lawyers — to advocate for animal victims in criminal cruelty cases.
Courtroom Animal Advocate Program (New Jersey)
Providing for advocate in criminal cases concerning welfare or care of cat or dog. (A4840/S3322)
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 (H.4131)
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.
Protecting Wildlife from Harmful Poisons (California)
California Ecosystems Protection Act (AB 1788)
Would ban the use of second generation anticoagulant rodenticides, except in limited 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.
Protecting Captive Orcas
Phasing Out Orcas in Captivity
Would prohibit breeding captive orcas, prohibit the transport of orcas into Florida, and that any public displays must be strictly educational.
