Bill > HB05264

This bill aims to enhance protections for animals and their owners by prohibiting homeowners and tenants insurance policies from canceling, refusing to renew, or refusing to issue a policy solely based on the breed of a dog trained or being trained as a service animal for individuals with disabilities, effective October 1, 2026. It also allows courts to appoint a separate advocate in legal proceedings concerning the welfare or custody of "companion animals," defined broadly to include various domesticated animals kept for pleasure, to represent the interests of justice, effective October 1, 2026. Furthermore, the bill expands the crime of assault in the third degree to include acts against domestic animals, making it a class D felony for certain offenses and a class A misdemeanor for assault of a domestic animal, also effective October 1, 2026. Finally, it establishes an Animal Abuse Task Force, effective October 1, 2026, to study the creation of a state animal abuse registry, recommend changes to rehabilitation programs for animal cruelty offenders, and propose revisions to animal cruelty and neglect laws, with a report due by January 1, 2027.