AB-1382 • 2026

Ethics Over Aesthetics Act.

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Castillo
Last action: 2026-06-01
Official status: From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on JUD. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.) (June 1). Re-referred to Com. on JUD.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary and digest do not provide specific details on enforcement mechanisms or consequences for accidental violations.

Ethics Over Aesthetics Act

This act prohibits selling transgenic pet animals with cosmetic traits in the state and sets penalties for violations.

What This Bill Does

Prohibits importing, selling, or offering to sell transgenic pet animals that have been modified just for appearance purposes.
Makes each violation a separate offense punishable by at least $5,000 fine.
Authorizes local prosecutors to sue anyone who violates this rule.

Who It Names or Affects

People who import, sell, or offer to sell transgenic pet animals with cosmetic traits.
Local district attorneys and city attorneys responsible for enforcing the law.

Terms To Know

Transgenic: An animal that has had its genes changed by adding new DNA from another species.
Cosmetic trait: A physical feature of an animal that is only for appearance and not related to health or function.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what happens if someone breaks the rule by accident.
It's unclear how this will be enforced in practice.

Bill History

2026-06-01 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on JUD. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.) (June 1). Re-referred to Com. on JUD.
2026-05-13 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on B. P. & E.D.
2026-05-06 California Legislative Information
Referred to Coms. on B. P. & E.D., JUD. and APPR.
2026-01-29 California Legislative Information
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
2026-01-29 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 73. Noes 0. Page 3870.)
2026-01-16 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2026-01-15 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (January 15).
2026-01-15 California Legislative Information
Coauthors revised.
2026-01-13 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on JUD. (Ayes 17. Noes 0.) (January 13). Re-referred to Com. on JUD.
2026-01-08 California Legislative Information
(Pending re-refer to Com. on JUD.)
2026-01-08 California Legislative Information
Assembly Rule 56 suspended. (Page 3717.)
2026-01-06 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on B. & P.
2026-01-05 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on B. & P. Read second time and amended.
2025-04-23 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on B. & P.
2025-04-22 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on B. & P. Read second time and amended.
2025-04-22 California Legislative Information
Assembly Rule 47.1 invoked. (Castillo).
2025-04-01 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on B. & P.
2025-03-28 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on B. & P. Read second time and amended.
2025-03-28 California Legislative Information
Referred to Coms. on B. & P. and JUD.
2025-02-24 California Legislative Information
Read first time.
2025-02-22 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 24.
2025-02-21 California Legislative Information
Introduced. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 1382, as amended, Castillo.
Ethics Over Aesthetics Act.
Existing law generally regulates the importation of wild animals into the state and the sale of dogs, cats, and birds. Existing law requires a person seeking to bring or import a dog into the state for purposes of resale or change of ownership to obtain a health certificate for that dog, as specified. Existing law requires a breeder of dogs to disclose to a purchaser of a dog certain information, including the breed, sex, color, and identifying marks at the time of sale, a record of inoculations and worming treatments administered, and whether the dog has any known disease, illness, or congenital or hereditary condition that adversely affects its health, as specified.
This bill would prohibit, except as specified, a person from importing for profit, selling, or offering for sale in this state a transgenic pet animal that possesses a cosmetic
transgenic trait, as specified. The bill would provide that each transgenic pet animal imported for profit, sold, or offered for sale in this state in violation of that prohibition is a separate violation and is punishable by a civil penalty of not less than $5,000. The bill would authorize the district attorney of the county in which the violation occurred, or the city attorney of the city in which the violation occurred, to bring an action to enforce that prohibition, as specified.

Current Bill Text

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