In a challenging year, we were proud to help pass five bills that will improve animal welfare in Maryland. Faced with a $3 billion deficit and the need to pass the 2026 budget, fiscal concerns dominated the session with legislators keenly aware of striking a balance between the merits of bills with their potential fiscal impact. Even with those challenges, we were pleased that Maryland’s legislators supported five bills that will benefit Maryland’s animals, residents, and our environment.
Many thanks to our bill sponsors who championed our bills in committee and on the chamber floor, as well as the advocates and organizations including Humane World for Animals, The Maryland State Bar Association Animal Law Section (MSBA), The Professional Animal Workers Association of Maryland (PAWS), and countless others who worked tirelessly with us this session.
Headed to the Governor’s Desk:
Stacking Animal Cruelty Offenses – Senator West/Delegate Embry (SB152/HB 89) This bill corrects a prior decision made in a sentencing commission such that in cases where an individual is accused of cruelty to multiple animals, charges can now be brought for each individual animal that is harmed.
Pet Policy Transparency Act – Senator Love/Delegate Stein (SB 896/HB 1152)Requires the landlord of residential rental property to provide the property’s pet policies and restrictions on their website and on rental applications.
Wildlife Crossings – Senator Lewis Young/Delegate Ruth (SB 635/ HB 731) Establishes the Maryland Connectivity Coalition to foster collaboration among State and federal agencies, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders for the purpose of protecting endangered wildlife from habitat fragmentation.
Crimes Related to Animals – Restrictions on Keeping Roosters – Senator Kramer/Delegate Allen (SB 375/ HB 513)Prohibits keeping or breeding roosters for cockfighting, which is illegal in Maryland and has been linked to many other forms of criminal activity.
Veterinary Loan Forgiveness – Senator Lewis Young/ Delegate Guyton (SB 318/HB 643) Includes veterinarians in Maryland’s public service loan repayment program. To qualify, veterinarians are required to provide volunteer services in shelters for a specified time with the goal of expanding access to veterinary care and easing the veterinary shortage by incentivizing more veterinarians to work in Maryland.
We could not have accomplished this progress for Maryland’s animals without your support. Your emails, calls, and visits with your legislators send a powerful message that animal issues matter to voters! Sign up for Action Alerts: https://voteanimals.org/sign-up-take-action/
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