The proposed bill, S.B. No. 2025-2026, seeks to enact section 959.22 of the Revised Code to prohibit the declawing of cats, defined as onychectomy, which involves the amputation of a portion of a cat's paw or disabling its claws. The bill outlines specific definitions related to veterinary procedures, including terms such as "partial digital amputation," "phalangectomy," and "tendonectomy." It establishes that no person may knowingly perform these procedures to alter a cat's toes, claws, or paws to prevent their normal functioning, with exceptions for procedures deemed necessary for therapeutic purposes by a licensed veterinarian or for non-invasive trimming.

Additionally, if a licensed veterinarian performs a procedure for therapeutic reasons, they are required to file a written statement with the state veterinary medical licensing board within ten business days, detailing the purpose of the procedure and identifying information about the cat and its owner. The bill also imposes civil penalties for violations of the prohibition against declawing, with escalating fines for repeat offenses, and allows for an adjudication hearing for those challenging the penalties.