Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation
Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation
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    • Home
    • Legislation
      • Legislative Process
      • 2022 Legislation
      • Past Legislation
      • Legislative Victories
      • Missouri Animal Laws
    • About Us
      • The Animals
      • The Board and Staff
      • Learn About the Alliance
      • Position Statement
    • Donate
    • Get Involved
    • Shop
    • Humane Day 2023
    • Animal Hotlines
    • Contact Us
    • News & Events
    • Advocacy Tools
    • Open Your Heart 2024
    • Face of the Alliance
    • Voice for the Animals
    • Safer Together
  • Home
  • Legislation
    • Legislative Process
    • 2022 Legislation
    • Past Legislation
    • Legislative Victories
    • Missouri Animal Laws
  • About Us
    • The Animals
    • The Board and Staff
    • Learn About the Alliance
    • Position Statement
  • Donate
  • Get Involved
  • Shop
  • Humane Day 2023
  • Animal Hotlines
  • Contact Us
  • News & Events
  • Advocacy Tools
  • Open Your Heart 2024
  • Face of the Alliance
  • Voice for the Animals
  • Safer Together

2021 Legislation

Bills We Opposed

Prohibits Lawsuits Against Animal Abusers

HB 54 -DEFEATED

Representative Schnelting

This bill sought to prevent lawsuits from being filed on behalf of animal welfare and environmental concerns. The stated intent of the bill is to defend “Missouri Farms.” 

Protects Animal Abusers

HB 574/SB 254 -Passed with Good Amendments  

Representative Haden and Senator Riddle

This bill would prohibit testimony and submission of evidence in a criminal or civil trial against an agricultural operation except that provided by a Sheriff or the Missouri Department of Agriculture.

Eliminates Disposition Process for Abused and Neglected Animals

HB 589/SB 201 - Passed House, Defeated in Senate

Representative Knight and Senator Crawford

This bill would effectively eliminate the disposition process for abused and neglected animals and allow the animals to remain in the hands of their abusers until the conclusion of a criminal trial. It also eliminates the authority of animal control officers from rescuing abused and neglected animals.

Prohibits Municipalities From Banning Cruel Animal Events and From Regulating Working Animals

HB 647/SB 159/HB 841 - DEFEATED

Representatives Pollitt and West, Senator Crawford

This bill promotes animal cruelty by prohibiting counties and municipalities from banning animal events that are inherently cruel such as hog-dog contests, horse tripping, bloodless bullfights or any animal event regardless of the potential cruelty inflicted upon the animals.  It also restricts regulations on all animals by counties and municipalities.

Bills We Supported

Protects Animals in Hot Cars

HB 111, HB 1285, SB 630 - FAILED

Representatives Bangert and Griesheimer and Senator Hoskins

Provides immunity from civil liability for persons who render assistance to animals trapped in motor vehicles.

Allows Animals to Be Placed on Domestic Orders of Protection

SB 71 /HB 744 - Truly Agreed and Finally Passed!

Senator Gannon and Representative Roberts

This bill would afford protection for animals in domestic abuse cases. Household pets often become pawns in the game of power and control that batterers use to coerce, control, and intimidate their victims. In a nationwide study, 76% of battered women reported that their abusers had harmed, killed, or threatened their animals.

Mandates Psychiatric Assessment for Animal Abusers

HB 373 - Passed in House, Failed in Senate

Representative Hannegan

This bill requires that people who have plead/found guilty of animal abuse, animal hoarding, or sex with an animal to undergo a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation.

Whistleblower Protection

HB 125 - FAILED

Representative Mackey  

This bill would provide whistleblower protection to anyone who files a complaint about animal abuse or neglect involving research animals at the University of Missouri and related institutions. 

Increases Penalty for Animal Abuse

HB 221/HB 222/HB 231 - FAILED

Representatives Burnett and Basye

Establishes Missouri Animal Abuse Registry

HB 276 - FAILED

Representative Hannegan

Requires the Missouri State Highway Patrol to post a public accessible list on its website of any person convicted of an animal abuse offense.

Incentive for Adoption of Animal

HB 434 - FAILED

Representative Applebaum

This bill would provide a tax credit to a person adopting an animal from a shelter or rescue.

Ruby’s Law

HB 561 - FAILED

Representative Derges

This bill would require a warning on pet food or pet food containing ingredients imported from a foreign nation. 

Psychiatric Evaluation for Animal Abusers

HB 643 - FAILED

Representative Hannegan

This bill allows the Court to order psychological or psychiatric evaluation and treatment for individuals who abuse animals. It also provides immunity to any person, including a veterinarian, teacher, and school personnel, who reports animal abuse to a law enforcement agency.

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