PRINTER'S NO. 1887
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No.
1267
Session of
2020
INTRODUCED BY YAW, KILLION, BAKER, COSTA, BREWSTER, AUMENT,
TARTAGLIONE, SCAVELLO, K. WARD, STEFANO AND YUDICHAK,
AUGUST 18, 2020
REFERRED TO AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS, AUGUST 18, 2020
AN ACT
Establishing the Dog Law and Puppy Lemon Law Commission; and
providing for its powers and duties.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Short title.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the Dog Law and
Puppy Lemon Law Commission Act.
Section 2. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Commission." The Dog Law and Puppy Lemon Law Commission
established by this act.
"Dog Law." The act of December 7, 1982 (P.L.784, No.225),
known as the Dog Law.
"Puppy Lemon Law." Section 9.3 of the act of December 17,
1968 (P.L.1224, No.387), known as the Unfair Trade Practices and
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Consumer Protection Law.
Section 3. Dog Law and Puppy Lemon Law Commission.
(a) Establishment.--The Dog Law and Puppy Lemon Law
Commission is established.
(b) Membership.--The commission shall consist of the
following members:
(1) The Secretary of Agriculture of the Commonwealth or
a designee.
(2) The Secretary of Health of the Commonwealth or a
designee.
(3) A representative of the University of Pennsylvania
School of Veterinary Medicine who is nominated by the
President of the University of Pennsylvania and appointed by
the Governor.
(4) A member of a Statewide association of veterinarians
who is appointed by the Governor.
(5) Two representatives of national associations that
have as their purpose the prevention of cruelty to animals
who are appointed by the Governor.
(6) A member of a national association for the breeding
of dogs who is appointed by the Governor.
(7) A representative of the insurance industry in this
Commonwealth who is appointed by the Governor.
(8) A pharmacist in this Commonwealth who is appointed
by the Governor.
(9) Two law enforcement officers who are appointed by
the Governor.
(10) Four members of the General Assembly, one of whom
shall be appointed by the President pro tempore of the
Senate, one of whom shall be appointed by the Minority Leader
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of the Senate, one of whom shall be appointed by the Speaker
of the House of Representatives and one of whom shall be
appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of
Representatives.
(c) Terms.--Except for members who serve ex officio, members
of the commission shall serve for a period of two years or until
their successor is appointed.
(d) Meetings.--The commission shall meet regularly, but not
less than annually.
Section 4. Powers and duties.
(a) Strategic plan.--The commission shall develop a
comprehensive, evidence-based, strategic plan, through an inter-
disciplinary collaboration between veterinarians, physicians,
State agencies and legislators, to promote the health and well-
being of residents, companion animals and the environment.
(b) Areas of focus.--In carrying out its duty under
subsection (a), the commission shall focus on the following
areas:
(1) The consolidation of all existing laws in this
Commonwealth, including the Dog Law and Puppy Lemon Law,
relating to cruelty to animals and making recommendations to
the General Assembly for improvements and expansion of the
laws.
(2) Dangerous dogs, aggressive dogs and dog bites.
(3) Consideration of whether the Puppy Lemon Law should
be amended to include noncommercial transactions.
(4) Consideration of amendments to laws for the
sheltering of dogs, including best practices for sheltering
dogs owned by individuals who are homeless or victims of
domestic abuse.
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(5) Transportation of dogs into and within this
Commonwealth, including health issues.
(6) The following relating to licensure and inspections:
(i) Requiring licensure for profit and not-for-
profit kennels.
(ii) Increasing licensure fees to provide revenue
for enforcement of relevant laws.
(iii) Authorizing veterinarians to issue individual
dog licenses and to promote sterilization and
microchipping of dogs.
(iv) Modernizing the systems in this Commonwealth
for issuance of licensing dogs and kennels.
(7) Pain management in companion animals, including:
(i) Identification of best practices for providing
relief of companion animals from suffering while
balancing public health issues.
(ii) Alternative therapies.
(iii) Compounding of drugs and pharmacy issues.
(8) Consideration of expanding the Dog Law and Puppy
Lemon Law to cat ownership.
(9) Emergency and disaster preparedness.
(c) Reports.--The commission shall make annual reports to
the General Assembly relating to its activities under this act
and any recommendations for legislation.
Section 5. Effective date.
This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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