Bill > HB2163

This bill modifies provisions relating to animals in several ways: 1. It prohibits cities, towns, and counties from enacting breed-specific dog regulations, except that existing breed-specific ordinances have until February 28, 2025 to be brought into compliance. The bill still allows municipalities to regulate dogs generally, as long as the regulations are not specific to breed. 2. It requires peace officers to report animal bite incidents that may transmit rabies or other zoonotic diseases to the local public health agency. 3. It gives the Department of Health and Senior Services authority to investigate and order the quarantine, isolation, testing, or disposal of animals that potentially transmit rabies or zoonotic diseases. It also makes it unlawful for an animal owner to fail to comply with such orders. 4. It allows a child or "vulnerable person" testifying in a judicial proceeding to have a certified therapy dog and handler present, in addition to or in place of a designated "support person" allowed under existing law.

Justice

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2163&year=2024&code=R