The bill amends the Animal Industry Act to establish new definitions and regulations regarding the treatment of certain farm animals, specifically egg-laying hens and gestating sows. It introduces the concept of a "cage-free housing system" for egg-laying hens, which requires that hens have the ability to roam freely in a controlled environment, with specific enrichments to promote natural behaviors. The bill prohibits farm owners or operators from confining covered animals in a manner that restricts their ability to lie down, stand up, or fully extend their limbs, and it sets guidelines for the minimum usable floor space for egg-laying hens.

Additionally, the bill outlines enforcement mechanisms, allowing the department or attorney general to bring civil actions against violations, and specifies that business owners cannot sell shell eggs from hens that were confined in ways inconsistent with the new regulations. A defense is provided for business owners who relied on written certifications from suppliers regarding the conditions of the hens. The implementation of these regulations is delayed until January 1, 2029, for egg-laying hens and until April 1, 2020, for gestating sows, ensuring a transition period for compliance.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 287.746