Relates to prohibiting the taking of zoo, petting zoo, carnival or circus animals

2025 Regular Session Introduced by William Colton and 5 co-sponsors

Prohibits taking animals from zoos, petting zoos, carnivals, or circuses in the state.

REFERRED TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION

Overview

Bill number: A 862

Title/purpose: Relates to prohibiting the taking of zoo, petting zoo, carnival or circus animals

Status: Referred to the Environmental Conservation committee

Introduced: January 8, 2025

Sponsors:

Primary: Deborah Glick
Cosponsors: Linda Rosenthal, Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, William Colton, Steven Otis, Jeffrey Dinowitz

Related bills (prior-session): A 4378, A 4186, A 912, A 5776, A 3810

What the bill would do

The bill would prohibit the taking of animals from zoo, petting zoo, carnival, or circus settings. The exact definitions of “taking” and the scope of the prohibition (e.g., capture, removal, harm, harassment) would be clarified in the bill text.

Enforcement, penalties, exemptions, and compliance mechanisms would be specified in the enacted language (not provided in the summary).

Key provisions and changes (as implied)

A state-level prohibition targeting the removal or taking of animals from certain entertainment or educational venues.

A focus on venues that house, display, or showcase animals for public interaction or display (zoos, petting zoos, carnivals, circuses).

The bill would establish a legal framework to deter and penalize violations, with specifics to be determined in the full text (definitions, penalties, and enforcement provisions).

Who would be affected

Primary affected entities: Zoos, petting zoos, carnival operators, and circus organizations operating within the state.

Other potential stakeholders: Employees and contractors of these venues, animal welfare advocates, patrons/visitors, and regulatory/enforcement agencies responsible for compliance and enforcement.

Legislative process and timeline

Introduced and immediately referred to the Environmental Conservation committee on January 8, 2025.

The bill will move through committee consideration ( hearings, possible amendments ), then to the floor for a full chamber vote, and subsequently to the other house (if applicable) for consideration.

Related bills from prior sessions suggest ongoing interest in strengthening protections for animals in entertainment and exhibition settings.

Context and considerations

The sponsors are focused on animal welfare and protection in entertainment and exhibition venues.

The presence of multiple related bills in prior sessions indicates an ongoing policy conversation about prohibiting the taking or removal of animals from such venues.

Potential impacts include changes to operating practices for zoos, petting zoos, carnivals, and circuses, along with strengthened enforcement of animal welfare standards.

For readers seeking more information

The full text would specify definitions (e.g., what constitutes “taking”), any exemptions (e.g., research, rescue operations), penalties (fines, civil or criminal remedies), and enforcement details. Once available, those provisions would clarify the bill’s practical effect and implementation timeline.

Bill