LEGISLATIVE SERVICES AGENCY
OFFICE OF FISCAL AND MANAGEMENT ANALYSIS
200 W. Washington St., Suite 301
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 233-0696
iga.in.gov
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
LS 6548 NOTE PREPARED: Mar 16, 2021
BILL NUMBER: HB 1268 BILL AMENDED:
SUBJECT: Return of Lost Pets to Owners.
FIRST AUTHOR: Rep. Hamilton BILL STATUS: As Passed House
FIRST SPONSOR: Sen. Koch
FUNDS AFFECTED: GENERAL IMPACT: Local
DEDICATED
FEDERAL
Summary of Legislation: This bill requires an animal care facility to adopt policies and procedures that
govern the return of lost or stray dogs and cats to the dog's or cat's owner. It also provides animal care
policies and procedures that an animal care facility may include to return lost or stray dogs and cats to the
dog's or cat's owner.
Effective Date: July 1, 2021.
Explanation of State Expenditures:
Explanation of State Revenues:
Explanation of Local Expenditures: (Revised) This bill requires that humane societies, animal control
agencies, and governmental entities that operate an animal shelter or other animal impounding facility to
adopt written policies and procedures related to reuniting owners with their lost or stray companion animal.
Fulfilling this requirement may lead to a workload increase for facilities. These additional requirements may
be fulfilled using the existing staff and resources of the facility.
Additional Information: (Revised) This bill requires facilities to adopt written policies and procedures which
may include:
• Screening the lost animal for specific identification items;
• Matching the lost animal with reports of lost or stray companion animals;
• Notifying the public within forty-eight hours of receiving a lost companion animal;
• Making a reasonable effort to notify an identified owner of an identified lost companion animal;
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 • Providing the public with general information about the facility;
• Providing owners an option to retrieve a lost or stray companion animal on at least one weekend day
per week and after 5:00 p.m. on at least one weekday per week; and
• Adopting requirements regarding euthanasia of lost companion animals.
Explanation of Local Revenues:
State Agencies Affected:
Local Agencies Affected: Animal control agencies; governmental entities that operate an animal shelter or
other animal impounding facility.
Information Sources:
Fiscal Analyst: Jason Barrett, 317-232-9809.
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