Assembly Member Bennett, with principal coauthors Berman and Umberg, frames a measure that broadens California’s pet-protection framework by applying a comprehensive written disclosure regime to the sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits and by barring nonrefundable deposits in ownership-transfer contracts for buyers located in California. The centerpiece is a new article that establishes definitions and requires a written notice at the point of sale to accompany the transfer of a dog, cat, or rabbit.
The disclosures are organized around three elements: first, the original source, including the breeder, the USDA license number if applicable, the country or state of birth, and a statement about any unknown information with related details known by the seller or their associates; second, records of inoculations and worming treatments, with dates and the type of vaccine or worming product used; and third, records of veterinarian treatment or medications received while in the seller’s possession, accompanied by a signed statement referencing an existing medical-history provision. The measure also prohibits a contract for transferring ownership that includes or requires a nonrefundable deposit if the purchase occurs with the buyer in California, effective for contracts entered into on or after January 1, 2026, and requires the seller to refund money within 30 days of notice that the contract is void.
Enforcement and remedies are provided through both private and public channels: a purchaser may bring a civil action to recover money, seek injunctive relief, and recover attorney’s fees and costs, while the Attorney General and local prosecutors may pursue enforcement in the name of the people of California; the remedies are not exclusive. The bill carves out government transfers and the transfer of guide, signal, or service dogs, and explicitly excludes public animal control agencies or shelters from the new requirements. The proposal thus expands existing dog- and cat-protection provisions to rabbits, aligns disclosure obligations with current law, and introduces a private-right-of-action framework alongside state enforcement, with a January 2026 start for the nonrefundable-deposit prohibition.
![]() Marc BermanD Assemblymember | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
![]() Sabrina CervantesD Senator | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
![]() Tom UmbergD Senator | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
![]() Steve BennettD Assemblymember | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
![]() Matt HaneyD Assemblymember | Bill Author | Not Contacted |
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Assembly Member Bennett, with principal coauthors Berman and Umberg, frames a measure that broadens California’s pet-protection framework by applying a comprehensive written disclosure regime to the sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits and by barring nonrefundable deposits in ownership-transfer contracts for buyers located in California. The centerpiece is a new article that establishes definitions and requires a written notice at the point of sale to accompany the transfer of a dog, cat, or rabbit.
The disclosures are organized around three elements: first, the original source, including the breeder, the USDA license number if applicable, the country or state of birth, and a statement about any unknown information with related details known by the seller or their associates; second, records of inoculations and worming treatments, with dates and the type of vaccine or worming product used; and third, records of veterinarian treatment or medications received while in the seller’s possession, accompanied by a signed statement referencing an existing medical-history provision. The measure also prohibits a contract for transferring ownership that includes or requires a nonrefundable deposit if the purchase occurs with the buyer in California, effective for contracts entered into on or after January 1, 2026, and requires the seller to refund money within 30 days of notice that the contract is void.
Enforcement and remedies are provided through both private and public channels: a purchaser may bring a civil action to recover money, seek injunctive relief, and recover attorney’s fees and costs, while the Attorney General and local prosecutors may pursue enforcement in the name of the people of California; the remedies are not exclusive. The bill carves out government transfers and the transfer of guide, signal, or service dogs, and explicitly excludes public animal control agencies or shelters from the new requirements. The proposal thus expands existing dog- and cat-protection provisions to rabbits, aligns disclosure obligations with current law, and introduces a private-right-of-action framework alongside state enforcement, with a January 2026 start for the nonrefundable-deposit prohibition.
Ayes | Noes | NVR | Total | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
70 | 4 | 6 | 80 | PASS |
![]() Marc BermanD Assemblymember | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
![]() Sabrina CervantesD Senator | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
![]() Tom UmbergD Senator | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
![]() Steve BennettD Assemblymember | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
![]() Matt HaneyD Assemblymember | Bill Author | Not Contacted |