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 procedures performed solely for therapeutic reasons are exempt from this prohibition. The bill explicitly states that no person may perform surgical claw removal or alter a cat's toes, claws, or paws in a way that impairs their normal function, with the exception of medically necessary procedures.

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 cause harm and suffering.