Pennsylvania Overview – 2024 Session
PENNSYLVANIA Legislative Overview – 2023-24 Session (Adjourned November 14, 2024) 43 pet related items were proposed during the 2023-24 legislative session, 27 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: Would amend 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. | DIED IN COMMITTEE ON ADJOURNMENT |
| HB 449 | Animal Cruelty Offense – Kidnapping: 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. | DIED IN COMMITTEE ON ADJOURNMENT |
| HB 526 | Pet Shop-Kennel Signage Requirement: 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. | DIED IN COMMITTEE ON ADJOURNMENT |
| 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. | DIED IN COMMITTEE ON ADJOURNMENT |
| HB 567 | “Exotic Wildlife” Definition Amendment: 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”. | DIED IN COMMITTEE ON ADJOURNMENT |
| HB 846 | Statewide Retail Pet Sale Ban (“Victoria’s Law”): Would amend 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. | DIED IN COMMITTEE ON ADJOURNMENT |
| HB 1113 | “Exotic Wildlife” & “Exotic Wildlife Dealer” Amendment Definition/Permitting: 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. | DIED IN COMMITTEE ON ADJOURNMENT |
| 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. | DIED IN COMMITTEE ON ADJOURNMENT |
| HB 1319/SB 702 | Dog Dealer/Kennel Sourcing Restrictions: Would amend 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. | DIED IN COMMITTEE ON ADJOURNMENT |
| HB 1322/SB 746 | Pennsylvania Dog Law Amendments (Licensing/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 746) |
| HB 2354/SB 82 | Dog Kennel Licensing/Import Restrictions: Amends Section 102 (Definitions), Section 211 (Revocation or refusal of kennel licenses), Section 214 (Health certificates for importation) and Section 902 (Rules and Regulations) of the PA Dog Law to: (1) Amend certain definitions; (2) Clarify certain kennel license issuance and revocation provisions; and (3) Ensure out-of-state dogs (from adjacent states) can be accepted for boarding care at a Pennsylvania kennel provided that the dog has a current rabies vaccination. | ENACTED (SB 82) |
| HB 2413 | Dog Kennel Licensing/Import Restrictions: Amends Section 102 (Definitions), Section 211 (Revocation or refusal of kennel licenses), Section 206 (Kennels), Section 207 (Requirements for Kennels), Section 214 (Health certificates for importation) and Section 902 (Rules and Regulations) of the PA Dog Law to: (1) Amend certain definitions; (2) Clarify certain kennel license issuance and revocation provisions; and (3) Ensure out-of-state dogs (from adjacent states) can be accepted for boarding care at a Pennsylvania kennel provided that the dog has a current rabies vaccination. | DIED IN COMMITTEE ON ADJOURNMENT |
| HB 2624 | “Retail Establishment Bag Prohibition Act”: Prohibits the distribution of single-use plastic bags by retail establishments. | DIED IN COMMITTEE ON ADJOURNMENT |
| SB 620 | Service Animal Product Sales Tax Exemption: Would amend 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 products or services for a guide dog, hearing dog or service dog. | DIED IN COMMITTEE ON ADJOURNMENT |
| 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. | DIED IN COMMITTEE ON ADJOURNMENT |
| SB 979 | Pet Dealer/Pet Retailer Disease Transmission Notification: Amends Title 3 (Agriculture), Chapter 23 (Domestic Animals), Subchapter C (Detection, Containment or Eradication of Certain Diseases) of PA Consolidated Statutes by adding a new Section 2336 (Posted notice with information on dangerous transmissible diseases) to require certain entities to post notices with information on dangerous transmissible diseases. | ENACTED |
| ORD 2023001 | Easton Retail 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 2023002 | Forks Township Retail 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 2023003 | Bethlehem Retail Pet Sale Ban Ordinance: Proposed ordinance amends Article 1159 (Animals) of the Bethlehem, PA Code of Ordinances by adding new Sections 1159.19 (Prohibition on the Sale of Dogs, Cats, and Rabbits by Pet Shops) and 1159.20 (Prohibition on Shelters and Rescues Purchasing Dogs, Cats, Rabbits) to: (1) Prohibit the retail sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits by city pet shops; and (2) Prohibit shelters and rescues from purchasing dogs, cats, and rabbits from breeders or brokers. | ADOPTED |
| ORD 2024001 | Allentown Guinea Pig Sales Ban: Bill No. 76 amends Chapter 163 (Animals), Article III (Retail Pet Shops) of Allentown, PA City Code to include guinea pigs in the current prohibition on the retail sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in city pet shops. | ADOPTED |
| ORD 2024002 | Doylestown Retail Pet Sale Ban: Ordinance No. 2024-02 amends Chapter 2 (Animals) of Doylestown, PA Code of Ordinances by adding a new Part 2 (Sale of Dogs or Cats) to prohibit the retail sale of dogs or cats in borough pet stores. | ADOPTED |
| ORD 2024003 | West Mifflin Pet Limit Ordinance: Proposed ordinance repeals and replaces Chapter 82 (Animals) of the West Mifflin, PA Borough Code of Ordinances with provisions to: (1) Define “animal” and “pet”; and (2) Impose limits on number of pets in a household. | FAILED |
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 2024 session.
View ALL federal and state issues tracked by the Pet Advocacy Network during the 2023-24 session.