Bill Tracking

Bills We Tracked during the 2026 Maryland General Assembly.

Below is a snapshot of the legislation MDVMA is monitored during the 2026 Legislative Session.

HB0053 - Criminal Law – Nondomesticated Animal Prohibitions – Alterations - Information
  • This legislation adds zebras, kangaroos, wallaroos, and wallabies to the prohibition against possession of certain non-domesticated animals in the State. Research facilities, holders of Class C Exhibitor Licenses, valid licensees issued by the Department of Natural Resources, Animal Sanctuaries, Animal Control Officers, a person who holds a valid veterinary medicine license and treats the animal in accordance with customary and normal veterinary procedures, a person not from Maryland but is in the State for less than 48 hours for the purpose of traveling between locations, and a circus are excluded from this. A person who had lawful possession of a zebra, kangaroo, wallaroo, or wallaby before October 1, 2026 may continue to possess the animal if the person provides written notification to local animal control on or before December 1, 2026. This bill died in the Senate.​
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SB0054/HB0452 - State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners - Grounds for Disciplinary Action - Restrictions - SUPPORT
  • Prohibiting the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners from suspending or revoking a license to practice veterinary medicine in the State, reprimanding or censuring a licensee, or placing a licensee on probation solely on the basis of the licensee discussing or recommending the use of cannabis or a product that contains cannabidiol on an animal for potential therapeutic effect or health supplementation purposes; etc. This bill is heading to the Governor's desk for signature.

HB0417/SB0435 - Public Health - Medetomidine and Xylazine Consumer Protection Act - OPPOSE
  • As introduced, this legislation would prohibit a retailer from distributing and/or selling medetomidine or xylazine to a purchaser unless that purchaser provides proof to the retailer of the intent to use the produce for an institutional, veterinary, or scientific purpose. As amended, this legislation schedules xylazine and medetomidine as Schedule III drugs. This bill died in the Senate.

SB0423/HB0666 - Research Facilities and Testing Facilities That Use Animals - Prohibitions and Adoption Requirements (Animal Research Modernization and Best Practices Act of 2026) - SUPPORT WITH AMENDMENTS
  • This legislation aims to prohibit certain research and testing facilities in the State from using traditional animal test methods if alternative nonanimal test methods are approved and available. Additionally, the bill requires research and testing facilities to submit certain reports to the Secretary of Agriculture regarding information about the number of animals owned and used, the number of dogs and cats released and adopted, types and number of alternative test methods used, and the types and number of traditional animal test methods used. As introduced, the MD Veterinary Medical Association was quite concerned, however, we were able to amend the bill significantly. Amendments include striking the specific euthanasia methods outlined in the original bill and replacing it with language that reads “…may be euthanized only in accordance with the most current American Veterinary Medical Association Guidelines for the euthanasia of animals”. Additionally, we were able to amend euthanasia be done under direct or indirect supervision of a licensed veterinarian. Additionally, we amended reporting dates to reflect USDA reporting dates to streamline reporting for these facilities. Finally, we ensured, via amendment language, that reports submitted to the Secretary of Agriculture shall be prepared in an anonymized manner and that these reports are not subject to disclosure under the Maryland Public Information Act to ensure the privacy and safety of research and testing facilities. This bill is headed to the Governor’s desk for signature.

SB0750/HB0912 - Local Government - Trap-Neuter-Return Policies for Community Cats - Requirements and Restrictions (Ash's Law) - SUPPORT
  • HB912 establishes that certain provisions of law prohibiting the abandonment or certain neglect of an animal do not apply to a person who is providing care to a community cat under trap-neuter-return (TNR) policies. The bill defines terms such as “community cat”, “community cat caregivers”, and “trapneuter-return”. This bill does not create trap-neuter-return policies across the State; however, it offers guidance and requirements about TNR policies adopted at the local level. This bill made it out of the House but did not receive a vote in the Senate. This bill died.


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