SB 375 — Crimes Relating to Animals: Restrictions on Keeping Roosters (Chapter 184)
Status and sponsors
- Enacted as Chapter 184; approved by Governor Wes Moore on April 22, 2025.
- Bill sponsor: Senator Chris K. Kramer (and cross-file HB 513).
- Act effective date: October 1, 2025. The substantive prohibition on keeping certain roosters begins January 1, 2027 (unless authorized by the Department of Agriculture).
Purpose and intent
- Reduce illegal cockfighting activity and associated public‑health risks (including the spread of avian influenza) by limiting the number and manner in which privately kept roosters may be maintained on residential or other nonexempt properties.
Key provisions
- Definitions
- “Rooster” — a male chicken that is at least 6 months old, has fully developed adult plumage, or is capable of crowing.
- “Enclosure” — a confinement structure (including repurposed items such as barrels) used for long‑term housing of a single adult rooster and that prevents interaction with other roosters.
- “Property” — a parcel of land or a combination of parcels operating as a single unit.
Prohibition (effective Jan 1, 2027)
- Unless authorized by the Department of Agriculture, a person may NOT:
- Keep more than 5 roosters per acre on a single property; or
- Keep more than 25 roosters total on a single property.
- Also constrains use of individual enclosures or tethers for maintaining roosters (movement‑constrained roosters maintained individually are covered by the numerical limits).
Exemptions
- Commercial poultry producers (per Agriculture Article definitions).
- Public schools or nonpublic schools that receive State funds.
- Government-operated animal shelters and qualified animal welfare organizations.
- Members of 4‑H or FFA with written county authorization specifying purpose, number, breed, duration, and address.
- Persons who, on request by an enforcement officer, can show they kept more adult hens than roosters in the immediately preceding six months.
Enforcement and penalties
- The Department may cooperate with local animal control or law enforcement for enforcement and must adopt implementing regulations.
- Enforcement authorities include any state or local law enforcement officer or local animal control authority.
- Violation treated as a civil offense with escalating remedies:
- First offense: warning.
- Second offense: civil penalty up to $500 per rooster.
- Third or subsequent offense: civil penalty up to $1,000 per rooster.
- The Act preserves the ability of local governments to enact and enforce more stringent rooster‑related standards.
Projected fiscal and operational impacts
- Fiscal note: potential minimal increase in State general fund revenues from civil penalties; State enforcement manageable within existing resources. Local animal control and law enforcement agencies may see minimal additional expenditures if they choose to enforce the law. No identified small‑business impact.
Who is affected
- Private individuals keeping roosters on residential or other nonexempt properties (especially those keeping multiple roosters).
- 4‑H/FFA members, schools, animal welfare organizations, government shelters, and commercial poultry producers (all exempt under conditions).
- Local and State animal control and law enforcement agencies (enforcement role and regulatory cooperation).
Notable limits and timeline
- Act effective Oct 1, 2025; substantive prohibition and numerical limits take effect Jan 1, 2027 (unless the Department issues a specific authorization).
- The Department of Agriculture is charged with adopting regulations to implement the Act. Localities may maintain or adopt stricter rules.
