Bill
Bill > H0578
summary
Introduced
01/06/2026
01/06/2026
In Committee
02/19/2026
02/19/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Session
Bill Summary
This bill proposes to increase the scope of sexual conduct that can be prosecuted or adjudicated as animal cruelty or aggravated animal cruelty. This bill further proposes to create a mechanism to recover costs of care from the alleged defendant after an animal is seized during an animal cruelty investigation. Additionally, this bill proposes to impose mandatory sanctions, including animal possession bans of not less than five years, for persons convicted of animal cruelty.
AI Summary
This bill expands the definition of animal cruelty to include certain acts of touching or fondling an animal's sex organs or anus, the intentional transfer of semen onto an animal, and the possession, filming, or distribution of visual images of sexual conduct with an animal. It also classifies sexual conduct with an animal in the presence of a minor or involving a minor as aggravated animal cruelty. Furthermore, the bill mandates that individuals convicted of animal cruelty must forfeit their right to own or possess any animal for at least five years, and it establishes a mechanism for recovering the costs of care for seized animals from the alleged defendant.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Justice
Sponsors (4)
Last Action
House Committee on Appropriations Hearing (13:40:00 2/25/2026 Room 9) (on 02/25/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/H.578 |
| BillText | https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/H-0578/H-0578%20As%20Introduced.pdf |
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