Missouri Overview – 2024 Session
MISSOURI
Legislative Overview – 2024 Session
(Adjourned on May 17, 2024)
19 pet related items were proposed during the 2024 legislative session, 14 of which were designated as priority by the Pet Advocacy Network.
Final Disposition of Priority ISSUES:
| BILL # | SUMMARY | FINAL DISPOSITION |
| HB 1695/SB 1259/ SB 995 | Animal Cruelty Reporting Requirements: Amends Title XII (Public Health & Welfare), Chapters 192 (Dept. of Health & Senior Services) and 210 (Child Protection and Reformation) of the Revised Statutes of Missouri by adding new sections to require veterinarians, animal control officers, and animal humane investigators to be mandated reporters in cases of abuse and neglect of children, the elderly, and other vulnerable persons. | DIED IN COMMITTEE (SESSION ADJOURNED) |
| HB 1826 | Animal Confiscation Provisions: Amends Title XXXVIII (Crimes & Punishment; Peace Officers & Public Defenders), Chapter 578 (Miscellaneous Offenses) of Missouri Revised Statutes by adding two new sections relating to the confiscation of certain animals along with penalty provisions. | DIED IN COMMITTEE (SESSION ADJOURNED) |
| HB 2163 | Breed-Specific Dog Ordinance Prohibition: Amends Title VI (County, Township & Political Subdivision Government), Chapter 67 (Political Subdivisions; Miscellaneous Powers) and Title XXXIII (Evidence & Legal Advertisements), Chapter 491 (Witnesses) of Missouri Statutes by: (1) Adding a new section to prohibit villages, towns, and cities from regulating dogs in a breed-specific manner; and (2) Allowing for certified therapeutic dogs for child witnesses in certain judicial proceedings. | DIED IN COMMITTEE (SESSION ADJOURNED) |
| HB 2206 | “Protecting Missouri’s Small Businesses Act”: Amends and repeals multiple chapters of the Revised Statutes of Missouri relating to local political subdivisions (to include adding state preemption over pet shop regulations). | DIED ON HOUSE CALENDAR (SESSION ADJOURNED) |
| HB 2265/SB 937 | “Animal Care Facilities Act”: Amends Title XVII (Agriculture & Animals), Chapter 273 (Dogs-Cats) of the Revised Statutes of Missouri by adding a new section to: (1) Provide animal dealer and pet shop animal sourcing restrictions and breeder disclosure requirements; and (2) prohibit adoption of local ordinances restricting the operation of licensed pet shops. | DIED IN COMMITTEE (SESSION ADJOURNED) |
| HB 2450 | Dog Tethering Restrictions: Amends Title XXXVIII (Crimes & Punishment), Chapter 578 (Miscellaneous Offenses) of Revised Statutes of Missouri by adding a new Section 578.019 to provide for the offense of unlawful dog tethering or chaining, with a penalty provision. | DIED IN COMMITTEE (SESSION ADJOURNED) |
| HB 2527 | “Micro shelter” Licensure Exemption: Amends Title XVII (Agriculture & Animals), Chapter 273 (Dogs-Cats), Sections 273.325 (Definitions) and 273.342 (Exemption from Licensing Requirements) of the Revised Statutes of Missouri to define and exempt “micro shelters” from the state’s licensure and inspection requirements. | DIED IN COMMITTEE (SESSION ADJOURNED) |
| HB 2647 | Pet Financing Restrictions: Amends Title XVII (Agriculture & Animals), Chapter 267 (State Veterinarian-Diseased Animals) of the Revised Statutes of Missouri by adding a new Section 267.155 to establish standards in regard to retail charge agreements and installation contracts for companion animals. | DIED IN COMMITTEE (SESSION ADJOURNED) |
| HB 2686 | Animal Handling Standards – Parvovirus: Amends Title XVII (Agriculture & Animals), Chapter 273 (Animal Care and Facilities Licensing/Regulation) of the Revised Statutes of Missouri by adding new sections to establish standards relating to the handling of animals suffering from parvovirus. | DIED IN COMMITTEE (SESSION ADJOURNED) |
| HB 2723 | Dog Breeder Standards/Pet Shop Sourcing Restrictions/Consumer Warranty Law: Amends Title XVII (Agriculture & Animals), Chapter 273 (Animal Care and Facilities Licensing/Regulation) of the Revised Statutes of Missouri by adding a new Section 273.355 (“Healthy Pets Act”) to provide for: (1) Commercial dog breeder standards of care; (2) Pet shop dog sourcing restrictions and signage requirements; and (3) Pet shop consumer warranty. | DIED IN COMMITTEE (SESSION ADJOURNED) |
| HB 2813 | “Puppy Protection Act”: Amends Title XVII (Agriculture & Animals), Chapter 273 (Dogs-Cats), Sections 273.331 (Inspection required for license – state veterinarian’s duties and authority), 273.333 (Investigations conducted, when – violations, administrative procedure) and 273.345 (Canine Cruelty Prevention Act – citation of law – purpose – required care) of the Revised Statutes of Missouri to further provide animal welfare standards for licensed animal facilities. | DIED IN COMMITTEE (SESSION ADJOURNED) |
View ALL Missouri legislation tracked by the Pet Advocacy Network during the 2024 session.
View ALL local ordinances tracked by the Pet Advocacy Network during the 2024 session.
View ALL federal and state issues tracked by the Pet Advocacy Network during the 2023-24 session.