The proposed legislation, General Assembly Raised Bill No. 6998, aims to amend the current dog licensing requirements by changing the frequency of licensing from annually to every three years. Specifically, it modifies Section 22-338 of the general statutes, stating that each owner or keeper of a dog aged six months or older must obtain a license from the town clerk's office by June 30th every three years, or when the dog reaches six months of age. The bill also stipulates the licensing fees, which remain unchanged, and includes penalties for failing to procure a license on time.

Additionally, the bill updates the requirements for submitting rabies vaccination certificates. Owners or keepers must provide a rabies certificate signed by a licensed veterinarian, confirming that the dog has been vaccinated and that the immunity is effective at the time of licensing. The bill also clarifies that those with a rabies vaccination exemption must submit an exemption certificate instead. The changes will take effect on July 1, 2025, and aim to streamline the licensing process for dog owners while ensuring public health through rabies vaccination compliance.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 22-338