The proposed bill, General Assembly Proposed Bill No. 6240, aims to improve the health and welfare of animals sold at pet stores by implementing stricter regulations on the sourcing of these animals. Specifically, the bill stipulates that no pet shop may sell any animal from a breeder or pet dealer who has been found to have committed any violations of pet dealer-related regulations set by the United States Department of Agriculture within the past seven years. This provision is intended to ensure that pet shops are sourcing animals from responsible and compliant breeders.

Additionally, the bill mandates that the Commissioner of Agriculture submit an annual report to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly that oversees environmental matters. This report will detail the number of violations of the new prohibition that the Department of Agriculture has issued in the previous calendar year, along with the nature of each violation. The bill seeks to enhance oversight and accountability in the sale of animals in pet shops, thereby promoting better animal welfare standards.