Tennessee · 114th Regular Session (2025-2026) · Bill

HB 76: Animal Cruelty and Abuse - As enacted, prohibits the abandonment of an animal in a person's custody and provides that it is not a defense to prosecution that the person abandoned the animal at or near an animal shelter, veterinary clinic, or other place of shelter if the person did not make reasonable arrangements for the care of the animal. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 14, Part 2.

In committee Last action May 15, 2025: Comp. became Pub. Ch. 428

Plain-language summary

HB 76 is a bill introduced in the Tennessee House on January 8, 2025. According to its official title, it concerns: Animal Cruelty and Abuse - As enacted, prohibits the abandonment of an animal in a person's custody and provides that it is not a defense to prosecution that the person abandoned the animal at or near an animal shelter, veterinary clinic, or other place of shelter if the person did not make reasonable arrangements for the care of the animal. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 14, Part 2. Primary sponsor: Stevens. Most recent recorded action (May 15, 2025): Comp. became Pub. Ch. 428.

Sponsors

Primary sponsor: Stevens.