Bill > S1939

This bill, known as the BARK Act of 2025, provides legal protections for individuals, nonprofit organizations, and state or local governments that donate pet-related products in good faith. The bill defines key terms such as "pet food" (any edible substance for animals), "pet supply" (items like carriers, toys, and feeding equipment), and "qualified animals" (including pets, service animals, and emotional support animals). Under this legislation, donors of "apparently fit pet-related products" - items that meet quality and labeling standards but might not be marketable due to factors like appearance or surplus - are shielded from civil or criminal liability when donating to nonprofits or government entities for animal distribution. The protections apply only to donations made in good faith and do not cover cases of gross negligence or intentional misconduct. If donated items do not fully meet quality standards, donors can still avoid liability if they disclose the product's condition and the recipient agrees to recondition the items before distribution. Importantly, the bill does not create new liability or override existing state and local health regulations, but instead provides a legal framework to encourage donation of pet-related goods that might otherwise go to waste.

Justice

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1939/all-info