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H 4675

An Act preventing animal cruelty

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jim Arciero and 40 co-sponsors

H 4675 - An Act Preventing Animal Cruelty OverviewBill Number: H 4675 Title: An Act preventing animal cruelty Status: Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the com

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
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Bill Summary · H 4675

H 4675 - An Act Preventing Animal Cruelty

Overview

Bill Number: H 4675
Title: An Act preventing animal cruelty
Status: Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
Introduced: November 03, 2025

Purpose and Intent

The primary goal of this bill is to strengthen protections against animal cruelty and neglect within the state. The legislation aims to establish clearer definitions and harsher penalties for acts of abuse, abandonment, and negligence towards domestic animals and livestock. The intent is to deter such behavior and ensure the humane treatment of animals across the state.

Key Provisions

  • Expands the legal definition of "animal cruelty" to include a wider range of abusive and negligent acts
  • Increases criminal penalties for animal cruelty, including higher fines and potential jail time
  • Mandates that convicted offenders undergo psychological evaluation and counseling
  • Empowers law enforcement and animal welfare organizations to more proactively investigate and intervene in suspected cases of cruelty
  • Establishes an animal abuse registry to track repeat offenders and prevent them from owning pets in the future
  • Requires pet stores and breeders to provide detailed records on the source and health of animals sold

Affected Parties and Impacts

This bill would primarily impact pet owners, livestock farmers, animal rescue organizations, and law enforcement agencies across the state. The stricter definitions and penalties are intended to deter animal abuse and ensure better standards of care, benefiting domestic animals and livestock. However, some agricultural groups have raised concerns about the potential impact on certain farming practices.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

The bill has been reported favorably by the relevant committee and has now been referred to the House Ways and Means Committee for further consideration. If it passes this next committee, the bill would then proceed to a full vote by the state legislature. Given the bipartisan support for preventing animal cruelty, the bill has a reasonable chance of advancing, though the timeline for final passage remains uncertain.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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