Bill > SB0257

This bill establishes the Cat Declawing Act, which prohibits the surgical removal or modification of a cat's claws (declawing) except for specific medical reasons. The bill defines declawing as any surgical procedure that amputates or modifies a cat's paw to remove claws, and explicitly excludes routine nail trimming or applying temporary nail caps. Veterinarians are only permitted to perform such procedures when there is a genuine therapeutic purpose, which is strictly defined as addressing an existing medical condition that threatens the cat's health, such as an infection, disease, injury, or abnormal condition in the claws, nail bed, or toe bone. The bill specifically excludes cosmetic or convenience-related reasons for declawing. Enforcement is handled by the Attorney General or local State's Attorney, who can bring legal action against individuals requesting or performing non-therapeutic declawing. Penalties range from $500 for a first violation to $2,500 for subsequent violations, and may also include court costs and attorney's fees. The law will take effect 90 days after becoming law, and contains a standard severability clause to ensure that if any part of the act is found invalid, the rest of the act remains in force.

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=257&GAID=18&DocTypeID=SB&SessionID=114&GA=104