Connecticut2026Passed Legislature
SB00318
Animal Welfare Act: Domestic Violence Pet Placement and Disease Control
Last scannedAug 25, 2026, 6:19 AM
In one sentence
This law requires a study on helping domestic violence victims find care for their pets, updates rules to let officials stop animal diseases that can spread to people, and forms a group to look at funding for the pet population control program.
What it does
- Requires the Commissioner of Agriculture to study how hard it is for domestic violence victims to place their companion animals in new care.
- Asks officials to find existing resources and identify contact persons or phone lines available at all times for these victims, but does not immediately create them.
- Changes state law so the State Veterinarian can issue orders to stop diseases among animals that might spread to humans.
- Creates a working group within the Department of Agriculture to study ways to improve funding for the animal population control program.
- Sets deadlines in 2027 for officials to send their findings and recommendations on these topics to the state legislature.
Who it affects
- Victims of domestic violence who need temporary or permanent care for their companion animals
- The Commissioner of Agriculture and the State Veterinarian
- Members of a new working group, including leaders from humane societies and veterinary associations
Limits and unknowns
- This law requires studies and recommendations but does not immediately create a new phone line or fund specific programs.
- The final report on domestic violence resources is due to lawmakers in January 2027, so the results are not yet known.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Companion animal
- A pet kept for friendship or emotional support rather than work.
- State Veterinarian
- The top official in the state responsible for protecting public health from diseases carried by animals.
Official record
Sources
Official summary
To identify resources for persons needing to place their companion animal in another person's care due to a domestic violence situation and to clarify the authority of the State Veterinarian to combat disease among companion animals and establish a working group to study ways to improve the funding of the animal population control program.
Official activity
Bill history
- Signed by the Governor
- Transmitted to the Secretary of State
- Transmitted by Secretary of the State to Governor
- Public Act 26-112LCO
- House Passed
- In Concurrence
- Favorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, House
- House Calendar Number 380
- Senate Passed
- Reported Out of Legislative Commissioners' OfficeLCO
- Favorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, Senate
- Senate Calendar Number 176
- File Number 221LCO
- Referred to Office of Legislative Research and Office of Fiscal Analysis 03/30/26 12:00 PMLCO
- Joint Favorable SubstituteENV
- Filed with Legislative Commissioners' OfficeLCO
- Public Hearing 03/04
- Referred to Joint Committee on Environment