West Virginia Overview – 2024 Session
WEST VIRGINIA
Legislative Overview – 2024 Session
(Adjourned on March 9, 2024)
12 pet related items were proposed during the 2024 legislative session, 7 of which were designated as priority by the Pet Advocacy Network.
Final Disposition of Priority ISSUES:
| BILL # | SUMMARY | FINAL DISPOSITION |
| HB 4363 | Ownership of Japanese Quail as Pets: Amends Chapter 20 (Natural Resources), Article 2 (Wildlife Resources), Section 20-2-47 (License for private game farm for propagating animals and birds for commercial purposes) of West Virginia Code to allow an owner of Japanese quail (Coturnix Quail and Button Quail) to keep them as pets without having to obtain a license for a private game farm. | DIED IN COMMITTEE |
| HB 4655 | Statewide Animal Abuse Registry: Amends Chapter 15 (Public Safety) of West Virginia Code by adding a new Article 17 (Animal Abuser Registry) to establish a statewide animal abuse registry. | DIED IN COMMITTEE |
| HB 4935 | Commercial Dog Breeder Standards/Consumer Warranty Law: Amends Chapter 7 (County Commissions & Officers), Article 10 (Humane Officers) and Chapter 19 (Agriculture), Article 20 (Dogs and Cats) to: 1) Amend Section 19-20-26 (Commercial Dog-Breeding Operations) of the Code of West Virginia to provide primary enclosure standards and commercial dog breeder written disclosure requirements; and 2) Add a new Section 19-20-27 (Dogs unfit for sale and purchaser’s remedies). | DIED IN COMMITTEE |
| HB 5044 | Animal Cruelty Offense Amendments: Amends Article 8 (Crimes Against Chastity, Morality and Decency), Section 61-8-19 (Cruelty to Animals; Penalties) of the Code of West Virginia to further provide for definitions and penalties for the offense of cruelty to animals. | DIED IN COMMITTEE |
| HB 5146 | Commercial Dog Breeder Standards/Consumer Warranty Law: Amends Chapter 7 (County Commissions & Officers), Article 10 (Humane Officers) and Chapter 19 (Agriculture), Article 20 (Dogs and Cats) to: 1) Amend Section 19-20-26 (Commercial Dog-Breeding Operations) of the Code of West Virginia to provide primary enclosure standards and commercial dog breeder written disclosure requirements; and 2) Add a new Section 19-20-27 (Dogs unfit for sale and purchaser’s remedies). | DIED IN COMMITTEE |
| HB 5601 | Service Animals/Public Access Restrictions: Amends Chapter 19 (Agriculture), Article 20 (Dogs and Cats) of West Virginia Code by adding a new Section 19-20-27 to prohibit a person from taking a dog, cat, or other animal into a grocery store or retail establishment that sells food unless the animal is a registered service animal. | DIED IN COMMITTEE |
| SB 501 | Animal Cruelty Offense/Penalty Amendments: Amends Title 61 (Crimes & Their Punishment), Article 8 (Crimes Against Chastity, Morality & Decency), Section 19 (Cruelty to Animals) of the Code of West Virginia to create and defines the felony offense of cruelty to animals and to create criminal penalties for such offense. | DIED IN COMMITTEE |
View ALL West Virginia 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.