Rhode Island Legislative Overview – 2025 Session
RHODE ISLAND Legislative Overview – 2025 Session
(Adjourned on June 21, 2025)
29 pet related items were proposed during the 2025 legislative session, 20 of which were designated as priority by the Pet Advocacy Network.
Final Disposition of Priority ISSUES:
| BILL # | SUMMARY | FINAL DISPOSITION |
| HB 5128 | Animal Cruelty Offense Expansion: Amends Title 4 (Animals & Animal Husbandry), Chapter 4-1 (Cruelty to Animals), Sections 4-1-2 (Overwork, mistreatment, or failure to feed animals — Shelter defined) of Rhode Island General Laws to expand the offense and penalty for overworking, mistreating, or failure to feed animal. | DIED IN COMMITTEE (SESSION ADJOURNED) |
| HB 5214/SB 398 | Statewide Psittacine Bird Sale Prohibition: Amends Title 4 (Animals & Animal Husbandry), Chapter 4-11 (Psittacine Birds) of RI General Laws by adding a new Section 4-11-14 (Parrot Sale Restrictions) to ban the sale of parrots at pet stores from a breeder or broker; provided, however, that pet stores would be allowed to sell parrots obtained from animal care facilities or animal rescue organizations. | DIED IN COMMITTEE (SESSION ADJOURNED) |
| HB 5401/SB 34 | Pet Care Services Sales Tax Repeal: Amends Title 44 (Taxation), Chapter 44-18 (Sales and Use Taxes – Liability and Computation), Section 7.3 (Services Defined) of RI General Laws to repeal the sales tax on pet care services. | DIED IN COMMITTEE (SESSION ADJOURNED) |
| HB 5504/SB 553 | Emotional Support Animals – Landlord-Tenant: Amends Title 34 (Property), Chapter 34-37 (RI Fair Housing Practices Act), Section 34-37-4 (Unlawful housing practices) of RI General Laws to allow tenants with disabilities to request emotional support animals as reasonable accommodations. | DIED IN COMMITTEE (SESSION ADJOURNED) |
| HB 5555/SB 647 | Telemedicine/Client-Patient Relationship Restrictions: Amends Title 5 (Business & Professions), Chapter 5-25 (Veterinary Practice) of Rhode Island General Laws by creating a new Section 5-25-18 to establish client-patient relationships through telemedicine under specific conditions, including initial in-person meetings, client consent, and adherence to state care standards. | DIED ON CALENDAR (SESSION ADJOURNED) |
| HB 5669 | Domestic Violence Offense – Inclusion of Companion Animals: Amends Title 12 (Criminal Procedure), Chapter 29 (Domestic Violence Prevention Act), Section 12-29-2 (Definitions) of Rhode Island General Laws by amending the definition of “domestic violence” to include certain animal cruelty offenses. | DIED IN COMMITTEE (SESSION ADJOURNED) |
| HB 5926 | Non-Economic Damages Awards: Amends Title 4 (Animals & Animal Husbandry), Chapter 4-1 (Cruelty to Animals) of RI General Laws by adding a new Section 4-1-44 (Intentional or negligent injury or death of a pet caused by the act of another-Cause of action-Minimum and maximum noneconomic recovery) to allow pet owners to seek noneconomic damages for the intentional or negligent injury or death of their pets, with specific limits and exemptions. | DIED IN COMMITTEE (SESSION ADJOURNED) |
| HB 6089/SB 559 | Animal Cruelty Offense – Penalty Enhancement: Amends Title 4 (Animals & Animal Husbandry), Chapter 4-1 (Cruelty to Animals), Sections 4-1-2 (Overwork, mistreatment, or failure to feed animals — Shelter defined) and 4-1-9 (Animal Fighting) of Rhode Island General Laws to increase penalties for animal cruelty and fighting, including longer imprisonment terms and mandatory community service. | ENACTED (EFFECTIVE ON 7/1/25) |
| HB 6383/SB 325 | “Hobby Breeder” Definition Amendment: Amends Title 4 (Animals & Animal Husbandry), Chapter 4-19 (Animal Care), Section 4-19-2 (Definitions) of Rhode Island General Laws to amend the definition of “hobby breeder” to limit the sale or offering for sale to no more than 2 litters of dogs or cats, or a combination thereof, in a 365-day period. | ENACTED (EFFECTIVE ON 7/1/25) |
| HB 6407/SB 550 | Outdoor Dog Tethering Restrictions: Amends Title 4 (Animals & Animal Husbandry), Chapters 4-1 (Cruelty to Animals), 4-13 (Dogs) of RI General Laws to increase penalties, expand enforcement authority, and enhance standards for the care and treatment of animals, particularly regarding abandonment, neglect, and the tethering of dogs. | DIED IN COMMITTEE (SESSION ADJOURNED) |
| SB 129 | “Assistance Animal” Definition Amendment: Amends Title 34 (Property), Chapter 37 (Rhode Island Fair Housing Practices Act), Sections 34-37-1 (Definitions) and 34-37-4 (Unlawful Housing Practices) of Rhode Island General Laws to define “assistance animal” and clarify existing protections for persons with such animals consistent with the federal Fair Housing Act. | DIED IN COMMITTEE (SESSION ADJOURNED) |
| SB 340 | Animal Breeder Sales Tax: Amends Title 44 (Taxation), Chapter 44-18 (Sales and Use Taxes – Liability and Computation), Section 44-18-18 (Sales Tax Imposed) of Rhode Island General Laws to impose sales tax on the purchase of animals from a breeder. | DIED IN COMMITTEE (SESSION ADJOURNED) |
| SB 551 | Animal Control Officers – Custody/ Notification Requirements: Amends Title 4 (Animals & Animal Husbandry), Chapter 4-1 (Cruelty to Animals), Sections 4-1-3 (Unnecessary Cruelty) and 4-1-5 (Malicious injury to or killing of animals) of RI General Laws to allow an animal control officer to immediately take possession of an animal for a violation of these sections. | DIED IN COMMITTEE (SESSION ADJOURNED) |
View ALL Rhode Island legislation tracked by the Pet Advocacy Network during the 2025 session.
View ALL local ordinances tracked by the Pet Advocacy Network during the 2024-25 session.
View ALL federal and state issues tracked by the Pet Advocacy Network during the 2025 session.