Pennsylvania Overview – 2023 Session
PENNSYLVANIA
Legislative Overview – 2023-24 Session
(Adjourns on December 13, 2023)
29 pet related items were proposed during the 1st year of the 2023-24 legislative session, 16 of which were designated as priority by the Pet Advocacy Network.
Final Disposition of Priority ISSUES:
| BILL # | SUMMARY | FINAL DISPOSITION |
| HB 163 | Pet Food Sales Tax Exemption: Amends Article II (Tax for Education), Part III (Exclusions from Tax) of PA Tax Reform Code of 1971 to exclude from the imposition of sales tax the sale at retail or use of food that is purchased exclusively for household pets. | PENDING |
| HB 449 | Animal Cruelty – Kidnapping Offense: Amends Title 18 (Crimes & Offense), Article F (Offenses Against Public Order & Decency), Chapter 55 (Riot, Disorderly Conduct & Related Offenses), Subchapter B (Cruelty to Animals) of PA Consolidated Statutes by adding a new Section 5539.1 providing for the offense of kidnapping of animals. | PENDING |
| HB 526 | Pet Shop/Breeder Kennel Signage Requirements: An Act to amend Section 459-207 (Requirements for Kennels) of the PA Dog Law by adding a new subsection to further provide for the display of breeder information by pet shop-kennels. | PENDING |
| HB 530 | Animal Cruelty – Pet Ownership Prohibition: Amends Title 18 (Crimes & Offenses), Chapter 55 (Riot, Disorderly Conduct and Related Offenses), Subchapter B. (Cruelty to Animals), Section 5555 (Prohibition of Ownership) of PA Consolidated Statutes to further provide for the prohibition of pet ownership for persons convicted of animal cruelty violations. | PENDING |
| HB 567 | “Exotic Wildlife” Definition: Amends Title 34 (Game), Subchapter D (Permits Relating to Wildlife), Section 2961 (Definitions) of PA Consolidated Statutes to exclude birds, rats and mice, rabbits, hedgehogs, sugar gliders and domestic ferrets from the definition of “exotic wildlife”. | PENDING |
| HB 846 | Statewide Pet Sale Ban: Amends Title 3 (Agriculture), Chapter 8 (Dog Law), Sections 459.102 (Definitions) and 459.206 (Kennels) of PA Consolidated Statutes to prohibit the retail sale of dogs by pet shops. | PENDING |
| HB 1113 | “Exotic Wildlife Dealer” Definition/Permit Amendment: Amends Title 34 (Game), Sections 2961 (Definitions) and 2963 (Exotic Wildlife Possession Permits) of PA Consolidated Statutes by: 1) Redefining “exotic wildlife” and “exotic wildlife dealer”; and 2) Discontinuing the issuance of Exotic Wildlife Possession Permits. | PENDING |
| HB 1318/SB 701 | “Dog and Cat Protection Act”: Provides for certain dog dealer and dog kennel sourcing restrictions and includes owners and employees of dealers and kennels in the PA Whistleblower Law. | PENDING |
| HB 1319/SB 702 | Dog Dealer/Kennel Sourcing Restrictions: Amends Article II (Licenses, Tags and Kennels) and Article IX (Enforcement and Penalties) of the PA Dog Law by adding new Sections 222 (Importation or sale of dogs) and 909 (Whistleblower Protection) to: 1) Provide dog dealer and kennel sourcing restrictions; and 2) Include of owners and employees of dealers and kennels in the PA Whistleblower Law. | PENDING |
| SB 746 | Dog Kennel Licensing/Fee Increase/Sourcing Transparency: Amends Title 3 (Agriculture), Chapter 8 (“Dog Law”), Sections 200 (Issuance of dog licenses; compensation; proof required; deposit of funds; records; license sales; rules and regulations; failure to comply; unlawful acts; penalty), 206 (Kennels), 211 (Revocation, suspension or refusal of kennel licenses), 212 (Dogs temporarily in the Commonwealth), 603 (Selling, bartering or trading dogs) of PA Consolidated Statutes to: 1) Streamline annual and lifetime dog licenses and reasonably increase fees; 2) Establish a statewide licensing database to modernize the information and provide accessibility to law enforcement statewide; 3) Propose a 25% increase in license fees for each kennel classification; 4) Update rescue network kennel licensing and related documentation of foreign dogs; 5) Require transparency of both the source of a dog and the identifying seller’s license information in advertisements. | ENACTED |
| SB 785 | “Animal Welfare Board Act”: Establishes the Animal Welfare Board to review existing laws and regulations in this Commonwealth related to the keeping and handling of animals. | PENDING |
| ORD 2023001 | Local Pet Sale Ban Ordinance: Amends the Code of Easton, PA by creating a new Chapter 189 (Animals), Article II (Retail Pet Shops) to prohibit the sale of dogs, cats, rabbits, or guinea pigs in city pet shops. | ADOPTED |
| ORD No. 394 | Local Pet Sale Ban Ordinance: Amends Chapter 54 (Animals) of the Township of Forks, PA Code of Ordinances by adding a new Section 54-6 (Prohibition on the Sale of Dogs, Cats, Rabbits, and Guinea Pigs by Pet Shops) to prohibit the retail sale of dogs, cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs in township pet shops. | ADOPTED |
View ALL Pennsylvania legislation tracked by the Pet Advocacy Network during the 2023-24 session.
View ALL local ordinances tracked by the Pet Advocacy Network during the 2023 session.
View ALL federal and state issues tracked by the Pet Advocacy Network during the 2023-24 session.