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Bill > HB0076
TN HB0076
TN HB0076AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 14, Part 2, relative to criminal offenses committed against animals.
summary
Introduced
01/08/2025
01/08/2025
In Committee
04/17/2025
04/17/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
05/15/2025
05/15/2025
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
05/15/2025
05/15/2025
Introduced Session
114th General Assembly
Bill Summary
As enacted, prohibits the abandonment of an animal in a person's custody and provides that it is not a defense to prosecution that the person abandoned the animal at or near an animal shelter, veterinary clinic, or other place of shelter if the person did not make reasonable arrangements for the care of the animal. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 14, Part 2.
AI Summary
This bill amends Tennessee's animal cruelty laws to clarify and strengthen provisions related to animal abandonment. Specifically, the legislation modifies the existing criminal code to explicitly state that abandoning an animal in a person's custody is a punishable offense, and importantly, removes a potential legal loophole by specifying that simply leaving an animal at or near an animal shelter, veterinary clinic, or other shelter location does not constitute a valid defense if the person did not make "reasonable arrangements" for the animal's care. The bill will take effect on July 1, 2025, and aims to prevent irresponsible pet ownership by holding individuals accountable for ensuring the proper care and placement of animals under their custody. The change is designed to protect animals from neglect and ensure that pet owners take appropriate steps to rehome or care for their animals when they can no longer do so themselves.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Justice
Sponsors (8)
Robert Stevens (R)*,
Rush Bricken (R),
John Crawford (R),
John Gillespie (R),
David Hawk (R),
Esther Helton (R),
Jake McCalmon (R),
Bryan Terry (R),
Last Action
Comp. became Pub. Ch. 428 (on 05/15/2025)
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=HB0076&ga=114 |
| BillText | https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/acts/114/pub/pc0428.pdf |
| Fiscal Note - HB0076 | https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/114/Fiscal/HB0076.pdf |
| BillText | https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/114/Bill/HB0076.pdf |
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