Legislation
Strengthening Laws that Protect Animals and Striking Down Laws Hurting Animals
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The Animal Legal Defense Fund works at the federal, state and local levels to advance important legislation. We advocate for laws that promote or protect the lives and interests of animals, and we oppose legislation that would be detrimental to animals’ well-being.
We also work closely with the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s other programs to identify opportunities to create model legislation that address strategic legal issues in the areas of civil and criminal law, and monitor legislation that impacts animals at the federal, state, and local levels.
Federal Bills
Preventing Future Pandemics Act (Federal)
Federal Legislation
Aims to shut down commercial wildlife markets globally
The Humane Cosmetics Act (Federal)
Federal Legislation
Substantially restricts the use of animal testing for cosmetic products
State Bills
Featured State Bills
Banning Killing Contests (New Jersey)
Prohibits harassing or killing certain wildlife species at competitive events (S.1176 / A.1365)
S.1176/A.1365, championed by Senator Nilsa Cruz-Perez (D-5) and Assembly Member Daniel Benson (D-14), would prohibit harassing or killing certain wildlife at competitive events.
Courtroom Animal Advocate Program (Florida)
Courtroom Animal Advocates (S. 1048)
Courtroom Animal Advocate Program (CAAP) laws allow advocates — supervised law students or volunteer lawyers — to advocate for animal victims in criminal cruelty cases.
Animal Possession Ban (Massachusetts)
An Act relative to the ownership of pets by convicted animal abusers (S.2494)
Bars people convicted of animal cruelty from possessing, adopting, or fostering animals for at least five years after their release from custody.
Dogs in Hot Cars (New Jersey)
Protecting Good Samaritans Who Rescue Dogs in Hot Cars (S.1175/A.4540)
Provides civil and criminal immunity to people who in good faith rescue an animal from a motor vehicle under dangerous conditions.
Recent Victories
Recognizing the Right of Waterways to Be Free of Pollution (Orange County, Florida)
‘Right to Clean Water Initiative,’ Charter Question 1 — Public Vote
Recognizes waterways in Orange County, Florida have a right to exist, flow, be protected against pollution, and maintain a healthy ecosystem
Protecting Wildlife from Harmful Poisons (California)
California Ecosystems Protection Act (AB 1788)
Places safeguards on the use of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides
Ending the Shark Fin Trade (Florida)
The Kristin Jacobs Ocean Conservation Act (SB 680)
Limiting the sale, import, and export of shark fins
Strengthening the State’s Retail Pet Sale Ban (California)
Bella’s Act (AB 2152)
Bella’s Act, AB 2152, strengthens California’s retail pet sale ban and helps ensure pet stores do not profit off animals bred in mills.
Legislative Program Team
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Kim Kelly
Director of Legislative Affairs -
Alicia Prygoski
Legislative Affairs Manager -
Jennifer Hauge
Legislative Affairs Manager -
Kathleen Schatzmann
Senior Legislative Affairs Manager -
Stephanie Harris
Senior Legislative Affairs Manager
Related News
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Florida: Urge the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to Protect Native Wildlife and Reptiles!
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is considering important rules that would protect both Florida’s native wildlife and non-native reptiles. Please ask the FWC to prohibit the sale and export of iguanas and tegus outside of Florida in order to curb the cruel reptile “pet” industry.November 16, 2020 Action Alert -
New California Laws Aim to Save More Companion Animals in Shelters
California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed two bills intended to reduce the killing of adoptable companion animals in the state.October 23, 2020 Animal Law Update -
‘Right to Clean Water’ Initiative Endorsed by Animal Legal Defense Fund
Charter Question 1 would recognize county waters have the right to be free from pollutionOctober 2, 2020 Press Release
