Title: Public Health - Prohibition on Testing Cosmetics on Animals
Current Status: Passed
Introduction Date: July 06, 2020
Last Action Date: Enacted under Article II, Section 17(c) of the Maryland Constitution - Chapter 774. May 30, 2021
Description: Prohibiting a person from conducting or contracting for animal testing in the development of a cosmetic; prohibiting a manufacturer from selling or offering for sale in the State a cosmetic under certain circumstances beginning July 1, 2022; providing that certain provisions of the Act do not apply to certain animal testing; prohibiting a political subdivision from adopting or enforcing provisions of local law relating to animal testing on cosmetics; establishing certain penalties for certain violations of the Act; etc.
Location: US-MD
Title: Animal Shelters - Standards of Operation
Current Status: Failed
Introduction Date: July 06, 2020
Last Action Date: Withdrawn by Sponsor. February 04, 2021
Description: Requiring a certain animal shelter to conform certain protocols with certain provisions of law; providing that certain provisions do not apply to an animal experiencing irremediable physical suffering; requiring an animal shelter to take reasonable steps to achieve a save rate of 90% of impounded animals; requiring an animal shelter to make certain animals available to be reclaimed by an owner for at least 4 business days after impoundment; requiring an animal shelter to make a reasonable effort to identify an impounded animal; etc.
Location: US-MD
Title: Domestic Animals - Retail Pet Stores and the Task Force to Study Canine Breeding Facilities and Sourcing Standards
Current Status: Passed
Introduction Date: October 29, 2020
Last Action Date: Enacted under Article II, Section 17(c) of the Maryland Constitution - Chapter 448. May 30, 2021
Description: Altering the definition of "retail pet store" to include a broker that transfers dogs or cats for resale by another person for purposes of certain provisions of law regulating retail pet stores; clarifying a certain prohibition on the sale of cats or dogs by retail pet stores; establishing the Task Force to Study Canine Breeding Facilities and Sourcing Standards to examine canine breeding practices and make recommendations by December 1, 2021, for any legislative actions needed to create standards for persons selling dogs in the State; etc.
Location: US-MD
Title: Civil Actions - Tortious Injury to or Death of Pet - Compensatory Damages (Buddy's Law)
Current Status: Failed
Introduction Date: October 23, 2020
Last Action Date: First Reading Judiciary. January 13, 2021
Description: Increasing from $10,000 to $25,000 the maximum amount of compensatory damages that may be awarded to an owner of a pet from a person who tortiously causes an injury to or death of the pet while acting individually or through an animal under the person's ownership, direction, or control.
Location: US-MD
Title: Crimes - Unattended Dogs in Extreme Weather Conditions
Current Status: Failed
Introduction Date: July 28, 2020
Last Action Date: Referred Judicial Proceedings. February 17, 2021
Description: Prohibiting a person from leaving a dog outside and unattended for longer than 30 minutes without access to continuous suitable shelter during extreme weather conditions, subject to certain exceptions; defining "extreme weather conditions" as temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit or above 90 degrees or during an active weather warning; making a violation a civil offense; applying certain penalties ranging from a warning for a first violation to a fine of up to $1,000 for a third or subsequent offense; etc.
Location: US-MD
Title: Local Government - Humane Society and Animal Control Officers - Education and Training Requirements
Current Status: Passed
Introduction Date: October 05, 2020
Last Action Date: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 226. May 18, 2021
Description: Requiring a new officer of a humane society or animal control to receive at least 80 hours of training within the first 12 months of employment; requiring an officer of a humane society or animal control to complete at least 6 hours of continuing education every year; requiring the training and continuing education to include instruction on current laws applicable to officers; and authorizing the appropriate unit of a county or municipality to require training in addition to that which is specified in the Act.
Location: US-MD
Title: Public Health - Prohibition on Testing Cosmetics on Animals
Current Status: Passed
Introduction Date: January 20, 2021
Last Action Date: Enacted under Article II, Section 17(c) of the Maryland Constitution - Chapter 773. May 30, 2021
Description: Prohibiting a person from conducting or contracting for animal testing in the development of a cosmetic; prohibiting a manufacturer from selling or offering for sale in the State a cosmetic under certain circumstances beginning July 1, 2022; providing that certain provisions of the Act do not apply to certain animal testing; prohibiting a political subdivision from adopting or enforcing provisions of local law relating to animal testing on cosmetics; establishing certain penalties for certain violations of the Act; etc.
Location: US-MD
Title: Task Force to Study Canine Breeding Facilities
Current Status: Failed
Introduction Date: January 26, 2021
Last Action Date: Withdrawn by Sponsor. February 05, 2021
Description: Establishing the Task Force to Study Canine Breeding Facilities; requiring the Task Force to study achievements made in the past 20 years in combating substandard canine breeding practices and current efforts and standards relating to canine breeding; requiring the Task Force to make recommendations and report its findings to the Governor and General Assembly on or before December 1, 2021; etc.
Location: US-MD
Title: Crimes - Unattended Dogs - Extreme Weather Conditions and Heat
Current Status: Passed
Introduction Date: September 09, 2021
Last Action Date: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 181. April 21, 2022
Description: Prohibiting a person from leaving a dog outside and unattended for longer than 30 minutes without access to continuous suitable shelter or suitable shade during extreme weather conditions or temperatures, subject to certain exceptions; defining "extreme weather conditions" as temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit or during an active winter or cold weather warning; making a violation a civil offense; applying penalties ranging from a warning for a first violation to a fine of up to $1,000 for a third or subsequent offense; etc.
Location: US-MD
Title: Animal Welfare - Declawing Cats - Prohibited Acts
Current Status: Passed
Introduction Date: October 05, 2021
Last Action Date: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 179. April 21, 2022
Description: Prohibiting a veterinary practitioner from performing certain declawing procedures on a cat unless the procedure is necessary for a therapeutic purpose; authorizing the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners to impose certain disciplinary actions on a veterinary practitioner for willful violations of the prohibition; providing that a violation of the Act is a civil offense; and providing that a person who violates the Act is subject to a fine of up to $1,000.
Location: US-MD
Title: Animal Welfare - Declawing Cats - Prohibited Acts
Current Status: Passed
Introduction Date: September 30, 2021
Last Action Date: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 178. April 21, 2022
Description: Prohibiting a veterinary practitioner from performing certain declawing procedures on a cat unless the procedure is necessary for a therapeutic purpose; authorizing the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners to impose certain disciplinary actions on a veterinary practitioner for willful violations of the prohibition; providing that a violation of the Act is a civil offense; and providing that a person who violates the Act is subject to a fine of up to $1,000.
Location: US-MD
Title: Agriculture - Right to Engage in Equine Activities
Current Status: Failed
Introduction Date: January 21, 2022
Last Action Date: Hearing 2/08 at 1:00 p.m.. January 27, 2022
Description: Stating the findings of the General Assembly relating to equine activities; and declaring the intent of the General Assembly that residents of the State have a right to engage in equine activities subject to regulations and restrictions under laws enacted by the General Assembly.
Location: US-MD
Title: Agriculture - Confinement of Egg-Laying Hens in Commercial Egg Production - Prohibitions
Current Status: Failed
Introduction Date: February 06, 2023
Last Action Date: Hearing 3/02 at 1:30 p.m.. February 26, 2023
Description: Prohibiting a certain farm owner or operator from knowingly confining egg-laying hens in an enclosure in a certain manner, subject to certain exceptions, on and after January 1, 2025; prohibiting a business owner or operator or a farm owner or operator from selling shell eggs or egg products under certain circumstances on and after January 1, 2025; and specifying that a certain certification be obtained in a certain manner to sell shell eggs and egg products.
Location: US-MD
Title: Agriculture - Confinement of Egg-Laying Hens in Commercial Egg Production - Prohibitions
Current Status: Failed
Introduction Date: August 31, 2023
Last Action Date: Hearing 1/23 at 1:00 p.m.. January 11, 2024
Description: Prohibiting a certain farm owner or operator from knowingly confining egg-laying hens in an enclosure in a certain manner, subject to certain exceptions, on and after January 1, 2026; prohibiting a business owner or operator or a farm owner or operator from selling shell eggs or egg products under certain circumstances on and after January 1, 2026; and specifying that a certain certification verifying that the shell eggs and egg products are produced in a certain manner must be obtained before selling shell eggs and egg products.
Location: US-MD
Title: Domestic Animals - Penalties for Abandonment and Microchip Requirements for Dogs
Current Status: Failed
Introduction Date: October 23, 2023
Last Action Date: Hearing 1/24 at 2:30 p.m.. January 15, 2024
Description: Increasing the penalties by including a term of imprisonment of up to 90 days and a fine not to exceed $1,000 or both for abandoning a domestic animal in certain locations; establishing requirements for the microchipping of dogs on a transfer of ownership and for the management of information relating to dogs with implanted microchips; authorizing the governing body of a county to establish reasonable penalties for a violation of the Act; and applying the Act prospectively.
Location: US-MD
Title: Wildlife - Traveling Animal Acts - Prohibition
Current Status: Passed
Introduction Date: January 17, 2024
Last Action Date: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 597. May 09, 2024
Description: Prohibiting a person from allowing for the participation of a bear, a cougar, an elephant, a jaguar, a leopard, a lion, a nonhuman primate, a tiger, or a hybrid of any of these animals in a traveling animal act; and providing a civil penalty of $2,000 per violation.
Location: US-MD
Title: Wildlife - Traveling Animal Acts - Prohibition
Current Status: Passed
Introduction Date: January 25, 2024
Last Action Date: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 596. May 09, 2024
Description: Prohibiting a person from allowing for the participation of a bear, a cougar, an elephant, a jaguar, a leopard, a lion, a nonhuman primate, a tiger, or a hybrid of any of these animals in a traveling animal act; and providing a civil penalty of $2,000 per violation.
Location: US-MD
Title: Agriculture - Confinement of Egg-Laying Hens in Commercial Egg Production - Prohibitions
Current Status: Failed
Introduction Date: January 29, 2025
Last Action Date: Hearing 2/19 at 1:00 p.m.. January 29, 2025
Description: Prohibiting a certain farm owner or operator from knowingly confining egg-laying hens in an enclosure that is not a cage-free housing system and does not meet certain space requirements, subject to certain exceptions, on and after January 1, 2030; and prohibiting a business owner or operator or a farm owner or operator from selling shell eggs or egg products without a certain certification of compliance on and after January 1, 2030.
Location: US-MD
Title: Agriculture - Confinement of Egg-Laying Hens in Commercial Egg Production - Prohibitions
Current Status: Failed
Introduction Date: February 03, 2025
Last Action Date: Hearing 2/27 at 1:00 p.m.. February 04, 2025
Description: Prohibiting a certain farm owner or operator from knowingly confining egg-laying hens in an enclosure that is not a cage-free housing system and does not meet certain space requirements, subject to certain exceptions, on and after January 1, 2030; and prohibiting a business owner or operator or a farm owner or operator from selling shell eggs or egg products without a certain certification of compliance on and after January 1, 2030.
Location: US-MD