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CONNECTICUT FEDERATION OF DOG CLUBS AND RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNERS, INC.
2023 LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITY
SOME OF THESE PROPOSED LAWS WE SUPPORT
SOME OF THESE PROPOSED LAWS WE OPPOSE
WE APPRECIATE ALL YOUR HELP WRITING TO YOUR LEGISLATORS WHEN WE ASK
Wednesday, June 28, 2023
https://www.akc.org/legislative-alerts/ct-update-bills-impacting-dog-owners-favorably-amended-becoming-law/
Please share this update with Legislative Liaisons, Club Members, and Responsible Dog Owners in Connecticut.
Both the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the Connecticut Federation of Dog Clubs and Responsible Dog Owners (CFDRDO) are pleased that the Connecticut legislature has adjourned for 2023 without passing legislation that would negatively impact Connecticut dog owners, breeders, and exhibitors.
We are grateful to the legislators who ensured bills of concern only advanced after requested amendments were adopted. AKC Government Relations and CFDRDO’s President met multiple times with Connecticut officials this year to share our position on key legislation. We thank those club members and dog owners who took the time to contact the legislature on bills of concern. Together we have made a difference for dogs in the state.
Some key bills this session included:
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House Bill 6714 – Concerning Cruelty to Animals
Final Status for 2023: The governor signed an amended bill as Public Act No. 23-149.
This bill redefines the crime of sexual contact with an animal, requires that veterinarians report suspected incidents of animal cruelty, and prohibits persons convicted of animal cruelty or having sexual contact with an animal from possessing or working with animals for a period of five years. The proposed definition of “sexual contact with an animal” could have been interpreted as prohibiting routine canine reproduction procedures. It was amended to ensure that bona fide veterinary and animal husbandry purposes would not be banned. See AKC’s previous alert for more information.
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Senate Bill 1069 – Kennels and Domestic Dog Laws
Final Status for 2023: Signed by the governor as Public Act No 23-17. The measure contains multiple amendments requested by AKC and CFDRDO.
This bill clarifies when a kennel license is required and how municipalities will enforce it. Prior to passage, amendments were added to preserve the definition of “kennel”, maintain the definition of “grooming facility” and require a municipal kennel license only if you produce more than 5 litters a year. See AKC’s previous alert for more information.
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Senate Bill 1060 – Appointment of An Advocate in Proceedings Concerning the Welfare or Custody of Animals
Final Status for 2023: After a public hearing, the Judiciary Committee took no further action.
SB 1060 would have amended current law that allows the court to appoint lawyers or law students to represent dogs and cats in proceedings concerning their welfare or custody and expand it to include “animals”, including monkeys, guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, birds and reptiles. AKC and CFDRDO testified with Connecticut farmers to express concerns. Details can be reviewed in AKC’s previous alert.
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House Bill 6635 – Dog Breed Insurance Underwriting
Final Status for 2023: An amended HB 6635 did not advance from Judiciary Committee
This bill would have prohibited homeowners’ insurance and renters’ insurance policies from discriminating based on harboring or owning any dog of a specific breed or mixture of breeds. Both AKC and CFDRDO supported the bill at a public hearing. An amended HB 6635 was favorably released and discharged to the Judiciary Committee, but their deadline expired before further action could be taken. Details can be viewed here.
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Senate Bill 932 – Protections for police K-9 and volunteer search and rescue dogs
Final Status for 2023: After unanimous support by the Joint Public Safety and Security Committee, the Senate forwarded the bill to the Judiciary for review. However, it did not advance before the session adjourned.
SB 932 would have increased the penalty for intentionally injuring a police K-9 or dog in a volunteer canine search and rescue team; (2) establish a penalty for annoying, teasing, tormenting, or harassing any police K-9 confined in a motor vehicle; (3) allow emergency medical services personnel to provide emergency treatment and transportation to an injured police K-9 under certain circumstances; and (4) establish a grant program to provide K-9 officers with body armor. AKC and CFDRDO testified in support. Details can be reviewed in AKC’s previous alert.
AKC Government Relations will continue to monitor all bills in Connecticut impacting dog owners and communicate with lawmakers to share our concerns and more positive, effective solutions. For questions or more information, contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org.
May 2023
Connecticut – HB 6714 would redefine the crime of sexual contact with an animal, require that veterinarians report suspected incidents of animal cruelty, and prohibit persons convicted of animal cruelty or having sexual contact with an animal from possessing or working with animals for a period of five years. AKC, CFDRDO and veterinarians expressed concern the proposed definition of “sexual contact with an animal” could be interpreted as prohibiting routine canine reproduction procedures, such as artificial insemination. The Judiciary Committee voted favorably on an amended HB 6714 that ensures that bona fide veterinary and animal husbandry purposes would not be inadvertently banned. The bill passed in the House on May 3 and is on the Senate calendar.
Connecticut – SB 1069 expands the definition of “animal”, expands licensed “grooming facility” to include any vehicle or trailer, and removes the definition of “kennel” allowing for personal kennels. It requires a kennel license for anyone who breeds more than two litters annually. Municipal animal control officers, instead of the Department of Agriculture, would be responsible for inspections and the enforcement of new detailed care and conditions. AKC submitted amendments after testifying before the Joint Environment Committee in February with CFDRDO. The committee approved an amended SB 1069 that preserves the definition of “kennel”; does not expand the definition of “grooming facility”; but still uses the word “facility” when referring to a hobby breeder kennel license. AKC and CFDRDO worked with lawmakers and the Department of Agriculture on an amendment that removes any hobby breeder reference as a “facility” and requires a license if you produce more than five litters a year. The Senate adopted this amendment and the bill is now on the House calendar.
Connecticut – SB 729 would establish the Husky as the Connecticut state dog. AKC submitted a letter of support to the committee. An omnibus bill including this provision was raised as HB 6822 and heard in March. The bill was voted favorably out of committee and is on the House calendar for consideration.
Connecticut – SB 932 would authorize the emergency treatment and transport of police K9s injured in the line of duty along with other provisions to protect law enforcement K-9s. AKC submitted written testimony for the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Security hearing February 14. On March 16, the committee unanimously voted the bill favorably. After favorable passage from the Appropriations Committee, it was sent to Judiciary Committee.
Connecticut – The Department of Agriculture submitted HB 6611 to consider a statewide dog license portal. An additional benefit of the electronic dog license portal proposed is a flat dog license fee whether a dog is intact or not. The platform will allow confidentiality for individuals with privacy protections in place. An amended HB 6611 supported by AKC GR and the federation was voted favorably on March 3, but the Department is calling for additional changes. Amended HB 6611 was referred to Committee on Appropriations on April 25.
Connecticut – HB 5215 would establish a taskforce, including a representative of AKC, to develop recommendations for legislation to address the epidemic of domestic dog attacks in the state and to expedite appeals of animal control officer orders and minimize the time impounded animals are held at taxpayer expense. AKC testified in support at the public hearing on February 15 and requested that CFDRDO be added to the taskforce. The Environment Committee voted favorably on March 1 with a commitment to add additional taskforce members in a House floor amendment. AKC is working with CFDRDO to get them included. The bill is on the House calendar.
March 2023
Please share this update with Legislative Liaisons, Club Members, and Responsible Dog Owners in Connecticut.
Recently, two Connecticut General Assembly Joint Committees separately voted to advance dog-related bills with amendments favorable to Connecticut’s responsible dog breeders and owners. Both the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the Connecticut Federation of Dog Clubs and Responsible Dog Owners (CFDRDO) expressed concerns with the original text of both bills.
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SB 1069, relative to kennels and domestic dog laws, raised multiple concerns for kennel owners and those who groom dogs for exhibition. In response to AKC’s alert, many Connecticut dog owners submitted testimony to the Joint Environment Committee requesting changes. Both AKC and CFDRDO testified before the committee, which approved an amended SB 1069 that:
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Preserves the state’s current definition of “kennel,” which allows the breeding of dogs for show, sport, or sale.
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Does not expand the definition of “grooming facility” to include those doing business in “any vehicle or trailer”. As a result, such operators would not be required to obtain a grooming facility license.
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Still uses the word “facility” when referring to a hobby breeder kennel license. Facility, however, is not specifically defined. AKC and CFDRDO are deeply grateful to Representative Dubitsky who secured a commitment from leadership to work with AKC, CFDRDO, and the Department of Agriculture to further clarify the bill’s text in a way that does not hamstring hobby breeders.
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Potentially prohibiting animal husbandry practices like artificial insemination was the basis of concerns raised by individual veterinarians, AKC, and CFDRDO of HB 6714. The bill, in part, seeks to redefine the state’s bestiality statute. The Judiciary Committee voted favorably on an amended HB 6714 that ensures that bona fide veterinary and animal husbandry purposes would not be inadvertently banned.
AKC is grateful for the Joint Committees’ receptivity and response to the concerns raised. Appreciation is also extended to the Connecticut club members and dog owners who contacted the committees. AKC will continue to advocate for SB 1069 changes and monitor amended HB 6714 as it progresses.
February 2023
Please share this alert with Legislative Liaisons, Club Members, and Responsible Dog Owners in Connecticut.
Friday, March 17, 2023
Yesterday, two Connecticut General Assembly Joint Committees separately voted to advance bills supported by the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the Connecticut Federation of Dog Clubs and Responsible Dog Owners (CFDRDO).
SB 932, relative to protections for police K-9 and volunteer search and rescue dogs, was unanimously supported by members of the Public Safety and Security Committee. As a noncontroversial measure, SB 932 will be scheduled for a consent vote by the full Senate. Details about the bill and AKC’s request for support can be viewed here.
HB 6635 has been amended by the Insurance and Real Estate Committee and voted favorably. The amended HB 6635 would prohibit homeowners' insurance and renters' insurance policies from discriminating based on harboring or owning any dog of a specific breed or mixture of breeds, as noted in AKC’s prior alert. It also amends laws relating to damage by dogs to people or property, as follows:
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Adds a “vicious propensity” definition to describe dogs that without provocation, attack, bite, or endanger the safety of people or others’ property.
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In order to collect damages, requires that a person injured by a dog who files a lawsuit against the owner or keeper provide evidence that they knew or ought to have known of their dog’s vicious propensity and failed to restrain the dog. Dog owners would no longer be held directly liable, and their insurer automatically paying for damages, when a dog has caused injury to another.
AKC is grateful for the Joint Committees’ support. Appreciation is also extended to the Connecticut club members and dog owners who contacted the committees. AKC will continue to monitor SB 932 and amended HB 6635 as they progress.
For more information on these or other legislative issues in Connecticut, contact AKC’s Government Relations Department at 919-816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org.
CT HB 6822 Raised bill February 28, 2023
AN ACT DESIGNATING THE STATE DOG, STATE PET AND STATE CANDY. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened: Section 1. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2023) The Siberian Husky shall 2 be the state dog. Sec. 2. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2023) A shelter pet shall be the state pet. Sec. 3. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2023) The lollipop shall be the state candy.
Connecticut – On February 16, 2023, the Judiciary Committee raised SB 1060 that would expand the court’s authority to appoint an attorney to represent animals generally. The goal of animal rights activists is to give animals the same rights and privileges as people by changing the legal classification of animals from property to “legal beings”. Although the concept of individual animal advocates may sound benevolent, in practice it can create problems that undermine the larger goals of animal welfare. AKC opposes SB 1060. Learn more here. We have asked CFDRDO members to submit testimony on this issue at the hearing on February 27, 2023.
Connecticut – HB 6714 would redefine the crime of sexual contact with an animal, require that veterinarians report suspected incidents of animal cruelty, and prohibit persons convicted of animal cruelty or having sexual contact with an animal from possessing or working with animals for a period of five years. AKC is concerned the proposed definition of “sexual contact with an animal” could be interpreted as prohibiting routine canine reproduction procedures, such as artificial insemination and will seek an amendment to clarify the text. We have asked CFDRDO members to submit testimony on this issue at the hearing on February 27, 2023.
Connecticut – SB 1069 would make many changes to the domestic animal laws. The definition of “animal” would be expanded, licensed “grooming facility” would now include any vehicle or trailer and the definition of “kennel” which allows for personal kennels would be removed. Instead, SB 1069 would establish that any owner who breeds more than two litters of dogs annually must apply to the town clerk where their “facility” is located for a breeding kennel license. Municipal animal control officers, instead of the Department of Agriculture, would be responsible for inspections and the enforcement of newly detailed care and conditions.
Connecticut – Established in Public Act No. 22-54, the Department of Agriculture convened a workgroup to explore a state-wide dog license portal last year. AKC and the Connecticut Federation of Dog Clubs and Responsible Dog Owners (CFDRDO) participated along with other stakeholders. The Department submitted draft legislation raised by the Joint Environment Committee as HB 6611. An additional benefit of the electronic dog license portal proposed is a flat dog license fee whether a dog is intact or not. The Department requested the committee make changes to HB 6611 to mirror the working group’s draft and AKC and the CFDRDO submitted testimony in support of those changes for the public hearing on February 15. AKC testified and has asked the committee add text to ensure personally identifiable information in the database will be kept confidential.
Connecticut – HB 5450 would prohibit discrimination in insurance underwriting based on the breed of a homeowner’s dog. Representative Nuccio has filed this bill after successfully getting a model act adopted by the National Council of Insurance Lawmakers last year. AKC sent an alert noting these protections had been raised by committee for a hearing February 16 as HB 6635. AKC, multiple dog clubs and members submitted testimony in support together with the Connecticut Federation.
Connecticut – HB 5469 would facilitate the annual licensing of dogs by requiring by businesses concerned with the care of dog to provide information about licensing laws,.
Connecticut – HB 5215 would establish a taskforce, including a representative of AKC, to develop recommendations for legislation to address the epidemic of domestic dog attacks in the state and to expedite appeals of animal control officer orders and minimize the time impounded animals are held at taxpayer expense. The Environment committee raised the bill for consideration. AKC testified in support at the public hearing on February 15 and requested that CFDRDO be added to the taskforce.
Connecticut – HB 5109 and SB 75 would authorize the emergency treatment and transport of police K9s injured in the line of duty. The Committee on Public Safety and Security has drafted an omnibus bill, SB 932, which includes this authority and other provisions to protect law enforcement K-9s. AKC issued an alert in support on February 3, 2023 and the committee received AKC written testimony for the hearing February 14.
Connecticut – SB 729 would establish the Siberian Husky as the CT state dog. AKC submitted a letter of support to the committee.
Connecticut – SB 53 would require veterinarians to report suspected cases of animal cruelty and neglect to the state. The Joint Committee on Environment held a public hearing on January 30, 2023, and AKC is monitoring the measure.
Connecticut – SB 309 would make the dog licensing fees equitable between dogs that are spayed or neutered and dogs that are not spayed or neutered. The bill sponsor has indicated they will also support this provision in the Department of Agriculture’s state-wide dog license portal legislation, HB 6611.
Connecticut – SB 976 would mandate health insurance coverage for certain conditions, including the need to purchase a trained service animal. AKC supports the training and use of dogs by humans, whose lives are enriched by dogs’ performing essential services and submitted written testimony in support for the February 14 public hearing. See alert for more details..