This was an exciting session as Governor Wes Moore signs all six of the following bills into law. A huge win for Maryland’s animals!
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Author: Maryland Votes for Animals
The mission of Maryland Votes for Animals, Inc. is to create and support humane legislation, to engage animal advocates, and to work with legislators to promote animal welfare in Maryland.
Crossing the Finish Line Strong: 2023 End-of-Session Humane Agenda Report
The 2023 Maryland General Assembly convened its first fully in – person session since March of 2020. With several key committee leadership changes, many newly – elected legislators, and a new Governor, there was strong momentum to pass legislation.
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We Need Your Help Again to Protect People and Pets Facing Eviction!
As evictions occur at record levels in Maryland, some families are coming home only to find that their beloved pets are gone. SB279/HB102, sponsored by Senator Jeff Waldstreicher and Delegate
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Let’s Protect Maryland’s Animals Used in Laboratory Research!!
This bill would establish comprehensive guidelines and oversight to protect animals used in research and require that non-animal methods of research must be used whenever possible.
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Let’s Make Maryland a Leader in Finding Alternatives to Animals in Research!
This bill would establish the Human–Relevant Research Fund. The purpose of the fund is to promote state-funded research through grants and loans to public and private entities in Maryland to develop human-relevant alternatives to using animals in medical and product testing and research.
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Let’s End the Cruel Confinement of Egg-Laying Hens in Maryland!
This bill would prohibit the cruel confinement of egg-laying hens in battery cages, typically the size of a standard iPad, where a hen is unable to spread its wings.
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Let’s Ensure that Maryland’s Spay/Neuter Fund Keeps Up with Inflation!
The first of its kind in the nation, the Maryland Spay/Neuter Fund has a been hugely successful program. As of June 30, 2022, the program has funded 216 projects that provided 95,558 spay and neuter surgeries for dogs and cats of low-income families and community cat programs.
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We Must Protect Unsuspecting Animals, Pets, and People from Getting Seriously Injured by Dangerous Trapping Devices!
Every year, millions of animals in the United States suffer a cruel and painful death after being caught in traps.
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Let’s Take a Proactive Approach to Protect Black Bears and People!
This bill would allow the Black Bear Damage Reimbursement Fund to authorize grants from the Fund to be made for projects that reduce conflicts between black bears and humans.
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Our Wildlife Advisory Commission Needs to Have Some Members Who Represent Wildlife!
This bill would define the membership of Maryland’s Wildlife Advisory Commission to include biologists, conservationists, and recreational users as well as hunters to make balanced decisions regarding hunting, trapping, and fishing.
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We Need Protections for People and Pets Facing Eviction!
This bill creates a process that ensures pet owners are informed about their rights and responsibilities regarding their pets in the event of an eviction.
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The Maryland General Assembly Convenes on January 11, 2023
The 2023 Session convenes on January 11, 2023 with a new Governor, many new legislators, and some significant changes in legislative committees. After last year’s successful session where we passed
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Maryland Votes for Animals Releases 2019-2022 Legislative Scorecard
Maryland’s legislators demonstrated a strong commitment to animal welfare by passing significant pieces of legislation to protect companion animals, farm animals, and selected species of wildlife in Maryland.
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Don’t open our whole state for Sunday hunting!
OPPOSE: Sunday Hunting and Archery Hunting Safety Zones – Statewide Authorization and Establishment- HB 1279 This bill would open ALL counties in Maryland to Sunday hunting by authorizing the Department
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We need protections for people and pets facing eviction!
This bill creates a process that ensures pet owners are informed about their rights and responsibilities regarding their pets in the event of an eviction. Landlords would be required to provide
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Tell the Maryland Wildlife Advisory Commission: Do NOT Expand the Black Bear Trophy Hunt in Maryland!
An alarming number of black bears killed by Maryland hunters in the past five years have been breeding-age females, a decimation that seriously threatens overall population dynamics and poses a
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Maryland taxpayers and shelters should not have to pay the costs of caring for animals seized in cruelty cases!
This bill establishes procedures to authorize an officer, agent of a humane society, a police officer, or certain other public official to recover reasonable costs of care from the owner
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Let’s Create an Incentive for Landlords to Accept Pets!
This bill would provide a tax credit for landlords who adopt pet-friendly leasing policies. While landlords would be able to impose restrictions on the number of companion animals residing with
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We Need You Again! Tell Your Senators to Vote YES on SB 67 this Tuesday!!
SB67, sponsored by Senator Kagan, has been voted favorably out of committee with a strong 10-1 vote. The bill now heads to the full Senate, which will vote on the
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Let’s Make Maryland a State that Says NO to Wildlife Trafficking!
While Federal law already prohibits interstate trade of wildlife products, it is still legal intrastate, providing a loophole for selling products such as ivory, rhino horn, or giraffe parts within Maryland.
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