Bill > HB4255

This bill, effective July 1, 2026, amends the Criminal Code of 2012 to redefine "covered animal" for the purposes of prohibiting their use in traveling animal acts, which are defined as performances where animals are transported to different locations in mobile housing facilities for entertainment. The new definition of "covered animal" includes specific large cats like cougars, jaguars, leopards (excluding Amur leopards), lions, and tigers, as well as elephants, non-human primates, and bears, replacing the previous, more general exclusion of "felidae" (members of the cat family). The bill also modifies the exemptions, stating that the prohibition does not apply to performances of covered animals that occur at permanent, licensed facilities, such as zoos or sanctuaries, and are conducted by those institutions.