Bill > HB912

This bill, known as Ash's Law, clarifies that individuals caring for "community cats" (free-roaming cats, including feral ones, that are cared for by local residents) under a "trap-neuter-return" policy are not considered to be abandoning an animal, which is otherwise illegal. Trap-neuter-return involves humanely trapping, sterilizing, vaccinating for rabies, and ear-tipping (a specific procedure to mark sterilized cats) community cats before returning them to their original location. The bill also establishes that any local law implementing such a policy must not require registration for cat caregivers, must allow for the trapping and sterilization of community cats, and must permit caregivers to reclaim impounded community cats without proof of ownership for the purpose of trap-neuter-return. Furthermore, it mandates that ear-tipped cats received by shelters or trapped should be returned to their original location unless veterinary care is needed, and it designates trap-neuter-return as the preferred outcome for impounded community cats. Crucially, this Act supersedes any existing local laws, ordinances, or policies that prohibit or restrict the practice of trap-neuter-return.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0912?ys=2026RS