Bill > S1916

Introduced Session

This bill establishes the Domestic Violence Shelter Pet Grant Program to provide funds to house pets in domestic violence shelters with their owners. Specifically, the bill establishes the program in the Department of Human Services to provide funds to domestic violence shelters to allow the pets of victims of domestic violence to reside concurrently with their owners within domestic violence shelters. Grants are to be awarded to domestic violence shelters to defray the costs of purchasing food, medication, toys, cat litter, leashes, and other supplies necessary for the health and well-being of domesticated animals, as well as for needed veterinary care during the residency of a victim of domestic violence at a domestic violence shelter. To qualify for a grant award under the program, a domestic violence shelter is required to submit an application to the Commissioner of Human Services (commissioner), in accordance with application procedures and requirements prescribed by the commissioner When awarding grants, preference is to be given based on the number of pets housed at a shelter. Grants shall be awarded by the Commissioner in amounts determined by the commissioner, not to exceed $50,000 to each qualifying shelter. Pursuant to this bill, the sum of $1,000,000 is allocated from the General Fund.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Latham Tiver (R)*,  Owen Henry (R), 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee (on 01/13/2026)

Official Document