Animals: sale of pets: intentional genomic alterations.
- Prohibits the sale of genetically modified pets unless the changes benefit animal health or human interaction.
- Bans cosmetic genetic modifications like novel fur colors or removal of natural features like claws.
- Imposes a minimum $5,000 civil penalty for each violation of the pet sale restrictions.
- Allows genetic modifications that make pets disease-resistant or hypoallergenic.
Assembly Member Castillo's genomic pet modification legislation establishes new parameters for the sale and importation of genetically altered pets in California, prohibiting modifications except those specifically aimed at improving animal health or enhancing human-animal interactions.
The bill defines intentional genomic alterations as changes to an animal's DNA using modern molecular technologies, including targeted or random sequence modifications. While the legislation generally prohibits the sale or import of pets with such alterations, it creates two specific exemptions: modifications that make animals resistant to diseases or health conditions, and those that enhance human interaction, such as developing hypoallergenic traits. The bill explicitly excludes cosmetic changes like novel fur colors or the removal of natural features such as claws or vocal cords from these exemptions.
Under the enforcement provisions, each violation incurs a minimum civil penalty of $5,000, with district attorneys and city attorneys authorized to pursue cases within their jurisdictions. The collected penalties flow to the enforcing city or county. The legislation applies to a broad range of household pets, including dogs, cats, rabbits, reptiles, birds, and fish, establishing uniform standards across the pet trade for genetic modifications.
 Brian JonesR Senator | Bill Author |  Not Contacted | |
 Jacqui IrwinD Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
 Phillip ChenR Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
 Heath FloraR Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
 Marc BermanD Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted |
Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.
Introduced By
- Prohibits the sale of genetically modified pets unless the changes benefit animal health or human interaction.
- Bans cosmetic genetic modifications like novel fur colors or removal of natural features like claws.
- Imposes a minimum $5,000 civil penalty for each violation of the pet sale restrictions.
- Allows genetic modifications that make pets disease-resistant or hypoallergenic.
Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.
Introduced By
Assembly Member Castillo's genomic pet modification legislation establishes new parameters for the sale and importation of genetically altered pets in California, prohibiting modifications except those specifically aimed at improving animal health or enhancing human-animal interactions.
The bill defines intentional genomic alterations as changes to an animal's DNA using modern molecular technologies, including targeted or random sequence modifications. While the legislation generally prohibits the sale or import of pets with such alterations, it creates two specific exemptions: modifications that make animals resistant to diseases or health conditions, and those that enhance human interaction, such as developing hypoallergenic traits. The bill explicitly excludes cosmetic changes like novel fur colors or the removal of natural features such as claws or vocal cords from these exemptions.
Under the enforcement provisions, each violation incurs a minimum civil penalty of $5,000, with district attorneys and city attorneys authorized to pursue cases within their jurisdictions. The collected penalties flow to the enforcing city or county. The legislation applies to a broad range of household pets, including dogs, cats, rabbits, reptiles, birds, and fish, establishing uniform standards across the pet trade for genetic modifications.
Brian JonesR Senator | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
Jacqui IrwinD Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Phillip ChenR Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Heath FloraR Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Marc BermanD Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted |