Maryland legislators continued to demonstrate strong support for animal welfare legislation. Their ongoing commitment has played a critical role in advancing meaningful protections and setting a positive standard for humane policy.
Maryland Votes for Animals is deeply grateful to the 2026 Maryland General Assembly for its partnership and dedication. With their support, we made important progress on this year’s 2026 Humane Agenda. We extend sincere thanks to our bill sponsors for championing key legislation in committee hearings and on the chamber floor.
We also recognize the invaluable contributions of our advocacy partners and allied organizations, including Humane World for Animals, the Maryland State Bar Association Animal Law Section (MSBA), and the Professional Animal Workers Association of Maryland (PAWS), along with many others who worked tirelessly throughout the session. Their expertise, advocacy, and collaboration were essential to the successes achieved this year.
Together, these collective efforts continue to move Maryland forward as a leader in animal welfare.
Headed to the Governor’s Desk:
Unnecessary Animal Testing: Sen Kramer – SB 423
Requires laboratories testing chemicals, drugs, pesticides, and other products to replace animal experiments with approved non-animal alternatives once those alternatives are accepted by the federal government. Requires research and testing facilities to annually report the number of dogs and cats used in experiments and adopted out after the experiments end to the Department of Agriculture. Colleges and universities will also be required to submit federal inspection results to the General Assembly.
Pet Crematorium Oversight: Del Allen – HB 564
Requires pet cremation providers to disclose service types – private or communal -and certify remains to ensure transparency. It also sets record-keeping standards nd enforces consumer protection rules for greater accountability.
Immunity From Liability – Donation of Pet Supplies: Senator Waldstreicher – SB 314
Provides liability protection for anyone donating or distributing donated pet items.
Endangered and Threatened Species and Migratory Birds: Senator Brooks and Del Palakovich Carr – SB 431/HB 578
Updates the management of endangered and threatened species by requiring periodic regulatory review, adjusting criteria for listing decisions, and allowing delisting when conditions are met. It also outlines petition requirements, permits designation of essential habitats, and prohibits taking certain migratory birds.
Bills That will be Back in 2027:
Trap-Neuter-Return of Community Cats – Senator Lewis Young / Delegate Guyton
Establishes a statewide policy recognizing Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) as a lawful and humane method for managing community cats. The bill prohibits local jurisdictions from adopting or enforcing ordinances that restrict or ban TNR and defines prohibited acts related to the care and management of community cats in Maryland.
Expansion of Prohibited Exotic Animals – Delegate Lehman
Expands the state’s list of exotic animals prohibited from private possession to include zebras, kangaroos, walleroos, and wallabies.
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/
Maryland Votes for Animals, Inc. is committed to making Maryland a safer place for animals through political action and humane legislation. Your contribution will provide critical support for our mission and ensure that your voice for animals is heard in the Maryland General Assembly!
DONATE and make a difference today! We have no paid staff so every dollar that you give goes directly towards our work for animals.