The proposed bill aims to prohibit the elective declawing of cats in Minnesota, establishing new legal definitions and guidelines under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 343. It defines key terms such as "cat," "declawing," and "therapeutic purpose," clarifying that declawing refers to surgical procedures that remove or modify a cat's claws, while excluding non-invasive practices like trimming or using nail caps. The bill explicitly prohibits any surgical claw removal or alteration of a cat's toes, claws, or paws that impairs their normal function, with an exception for procedures deemed medically necessary for therapeutic purposes.

Additionally, the bill introduces civil penalties for violations, imposing fines of $500 for the first offense, $1,000 for the second, and $2,500 for any subsequent violations. These penalties can be enforced through civil actions initiated by the county attorney or the attorney general on behalf of the state. This legislation seeks to protect the welfare of cats by preventing unnecessary surgical procedures that can lead to pain and impairment.