The bill proposes the repeal of sections 273.325, 273.329, and 273.342 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri (RSMo) and enacts three new sections under the same numbers, collectively known as the "Animal Care Facilities Act." The new sections define various terms related to animal care, including "adequate food," "adequate housing," and "commercial breeder," while also establishing standards for the treatment of animals in facilities such as animal shelters, boarding kennels, and commercial breeders. Notably, the definition of "commercial breeder" has been modified to exclude hobby or show breeders, and the bill clarifies that individuals who harbor three or fewer intact females are exempt from the provisions of the act. Additionally, the bill outlines the grounds on which the director of the Department of Agriculture may refuse to issue or renew licenses for animal-related facilities, including violations of the act or related laws. It also prohibits the department from utilizing personnel from nonprofit organizations for inspection or licensing purposes. Operating without a valid license is classified as a class A misdemeanor, reinforcing the bill's intent to regulate animal care facilities more strictly and ensure the welfare of animals.

Statutes affected:
Introduced (5942H.01): 273.325, 273.329, 273.342