The bill amends Chapter 4-1 of the General Laws, titled "Cruelty to Animals," by introducing a new section that prohibits the declawing of cats through any surgical procedure that involves the amputation or modification of a cat's paw to remove its claws. The bill defines "declawing" as an onychectomy or any other surgical procedure to remove the cat's claws, and clarifies that it does not include the trimming of nonviable claw husk or the placement of nonpermanent nail caps. It also defines "tendonectomy" as a procedure that impairs the normal functioning of a cat's claws by cutting or modifying the tendons in the limbs, paws, or toes.

The bill states that it is unlawful for any person to perform surgical claw removal, declawing, or a tendonectomy on any cat, or to otherwise alter a cat's toes, claws, or paws to prevent or impair their normal function, except for procedures performed solely for a therapeutic purpose. "Therapeutic purpose" is defined as a medically necessary procedure to address an existing or recurring illness, infection, disease, injury, or abnormal condition in the claws, nail bed, or toe bone that compromises the cat's health, and does not include procedures performed for cosmetic or aesthetic purposes or to make the cat more convenient to keep or handle.

Additionally, the bill outlines that the prosecution of and procedure for discipline for violations of this section shall be in accordance with sections 5-25-9 and 5-25-15. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.