HB4255 - 104th General Assembly

CRIM CD-TRAVELING ANIMAL ACTS
Last Action
4/10/2026 - House: Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate
Statutes Amended In Order of Appearance
Synopsis As Introduced
Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that the statute prohibiting elephants from performing in traveling animal acts applies to "covered animals" rather than just elephants. Defines "covered animal" as any of the following animals, and hybrids of those animals: (1) elephantidae; (2) felidae, but excluding a domestic cat; (3) non-human primate; or (4) ursidae. Provides that the provisions of the amendatory Act are in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other laws protecting animal welfare. Provides that the provisions may not be construed to limit any State law or rules protecting the welfare of animals or to prevent a unit of local government from adopting and enforcing its own animal welfare ordinances and regulations. Contains a severability provision. Effective July 1, 2026.
Actions
Date Chamber Action
12/19/2025 House Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Kelly M. Cassidy
1/14/2026 House First Reading
1/14/2026 House Referred to Rules Committee
1/16/2026 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Diane Blair-Sherlock
1/16/2026 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Michelle Mussman
1/16/2026 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Joyce Mason
1/16/2026 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Kimberly Du Buclet
1/27/2026 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Margaret Croke
1/27/2026 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Dagmara Avelar
3/12/2026 House Assigned to Judiciary - Criminal Committee
3/13/2026 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Barbara Hernandez
3/18/2026 House Do Pass / Short Debate Judiciary - Criminal Committee; 008-005-000
3/19/2026 House Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate
3/19/2026 House House Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Kelly M. Cassidy
3/19/2026 House House Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee
3/20/2026 House House Floor Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Judiciary - Criminal Committee
3/20/2026 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Laura Faver Dias
4/02/2026 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Lindsey LaPointe
4/07/2026 House House Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommends Be Adopted Judiciary - Criminal Committee; 009-002-000
4/08/2026 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Carol Ammons
4/08/2026 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Justin Cochran
4/08/2026 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Mary Gill
4/08/2026 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Anna Moeller
4/08/2026 House Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Joyce Mason
4/08/2026 House Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Michael Crawford
4/08/2026 House Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz
4/08/2026 House Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Sharon Chung
4/08/2026 House Removed Co-Sponsor Rep. Joyce Mason
4/10/2026 House Second Reading - Short Debate
4/10/2026 House Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate