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TN HB0076

Bill

Official Source

Status

Passed

5/15/2025

Primary Sponsor

Robert Stevens

Click for details

Origin

House of Representatives

114th General Assembly

AI Summary

  • Amends Tennessee Code Section 39-14-202(a)(3) to clarify that abandoning an animal in one's custody constitutes a criminal offense

  • Eliminates the defense that a person abandoned an animal at or near an animal shelter, veterinary clinic, or other place of shelter if reasonable arrangements for the animal's care were not made

  • Requires individuals surrendering animals to make reasonable arrangements for care, rather than simply leaving animals at shelter locations

  • Takes effect July 1, 2025

Legislative Description

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 14, Part 2, relative to criminal offenses committed against animals.

Animal Cruelty and Abuse

Last Action

Comp. became Pub. Ch. 428

5/15/2025

Committee Referrals

Calendar and Rules4/17/2025
Finance, Ways & Means4/17/2025
Finance, Ways & Means Subcommittee2/19/2025
Finance, Ways & Means2/19/2025
Judiciary2/12/2025
Criminal Justice Subcommittee2/5/2025
Judiciary1/16/2025

Full Bill Text

No bill text available