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HB 3056

DOG IMPORT-AGE LIMIT

104th Regular Session Introduced by Curtis Tarver

Prohibits importing dogs under 8 weeks into Illinois by licensees who know or should know a puppy is younger, with an age-inquiry duty and narrow exceptions.

House Floor Amendment No. 1 Rule 19(c) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 3056

Summary — HB 3056 (House Amendment 001)

Short title: DOG IMPORT‑AGE LIMIT (adds 225 ILCS 605/18.5)

This bill amends the Illinois Animal Welfare Act to prohibit licensed persons from importing dogs into Illinois when the licensee knows or reasonably should know the dog is younger than 8 weeks old. It also requires licensees to ask about a dog’s age before importation and creates narrow exceptions for pregnant or nursing dogs under emergency transport circumstances.

Purpose / Intent

To restrict the interstate or out‑of‑state importation of very young puppies (under 8 weeks), a practice associated with higher disease risk, inadequate maternal socialization, and puppy‑mill commerce. The policy aims to protect animal health and welfare and reduce the sale/adoption of undersocialized or medically vulnerable puppies.

Key provisions

  • Adds new Section 18.5 to the Animal Welfare Act (225 ILCS 605/18.5).
  • Import prohibition: A licensee may not import any dog into Illinois if the licensee knows or has reason to know the dog is under 8 weeks old.
  • Duty to inquire: A licensee must ask about a dog’s age before importing it into the State.
  • Exception for pregnant/nursing dogs: The prohibition does not apply to a pregnant dog or a nursing dog kept with its puppies, subject to three conditions when puppies are under 8 weeks:
    1. A licensed veterinarian determines the nursing dog needs emergency care;
    2. The licensee transports or arranges transport of the nursing dog with its puppies;
    3. The nursing dog is not separated from its puppies for the purpose of sale or adoption before the puppies reach 8 weeks.

Who is affected

  • “Licensees” under the Illinois Animal Welfare Act (e.g., licensed breeders, dealers, transporters, shelters or other entities required to be licensed under the Act) — they must verify age and may be barred from importing puppies under 8 weeks.
  • Out‑of‑state sellers, brokers, and transporters who supply dogs to Illinois licensees.
  • Breeders and shelters may adjust practices to comply; consumers may face reduced availability of very young puppies from out of state.

Enforcement and penalties

  • The amendment text itself sets the standard and exceptions but does not specify new penalties; enforcement would rely on existing compliance and enforcement mechanisms under the Animal Welfare Act unless separate enforcement provisions are elsewhere in statute or subsequent amendments.

Legislative status (selected)

  • Introduced: Feb 6/19, 2025 by Rep. Curtis J. Tarver, II
  • Referred to Rules; assigned to Agriculture & Conservation Committee (Mar 4); Do Pass (Mar 11)
  • First reading Mar 20; placed on 2nd Reading/short debate Mar 12/26
  • House Floor Amendment No. 1 filed Apr 7, 2025 (replaces bill text with Section 18.5 language); Re‑referred to Rules Committee Apr 11 (Rule 19(c))

Potential impacts

  • Likely reduces interstate importation of very young puppies, potentially improving animal welfare and lowering disease transmission risks.
  • Imposes a documentation/due‑diligence obligation on licensees and may shift sourcing to older puppies or local breeders/shelters.
  • May require additional verification procedures and could affect commerce for sellers who previously shipped puppies younger than 8 weeks.

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

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