HB 55 Summary

• Removes pit bulls from "vicious dog" definition: Changes the legal definition of vicious dogs to focus on individual behavior rather than breed, eliminating automatic classification based on pit bull ancestry.

• Enhances animal cruelty penalties: Increases criminal penalties for animal abuse violations, with felony charges for repeat offenses and mandatory counseling requirements for certain violations.

• Expands companion animal protections in court orders: Allows courts to include companion animals in temporary protection orders, domestic violence protection orders, anti-stalking orders, and related protective orders to safeguard pets from abusers.

• Mandates professional training on animal abuse: Requires medical boards and licensing bodies to approve continuing education courses on counseling individuals who abuse animals for physicians, psychologists, and mental health professionals.

• Updates juvenile delinquency dispositions: Requires psychological evaluation and counseling for minors adjudicated delinquent for animal cruelty violations under division (B) of section 959.131.