HB631 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Dexter Grimsley

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Animals, adopted animals, sterilization, criminal penalties increased, Secs. 3-9-1, 3-9-2, 3-9-3 am'd.

Summary

HB 631 would extend mandatory sterilization rules to animal welfare organizations and rescues, clarify sterilization requirements, and raise penalties for noncompliance.

What This Bill Does

The bill applies existing sterilization requirements for adopted shelter animals to animal welfare organizations and rescues, and clarifies when sterilization must happen. For dogs and cats 180 days old or older, sterilization must occur before relinquishment; for animals younger than 180 days, there must be a written guarantee to sterilize within 30 days after acquisition or within 30 days after reaching sexual maturity. The cost of sterilization is the responsibility of the person who acquires the animal, and pre-acquisition sterilization can be included in fees; if an animal is not sterilized at purchase, a signed veterinarian statement must be provided within 7 days after sterilization. Violations would be treated as misdemeanors with fines up to $1,000.

Who It Affects

• Animal shelters, animal welfare organizations, and animal rescues (must ensure sterilization before adoption or provide guaranteed sterilization timelines and related documentation).
• People who acquire animals from shelters, welfare organizations, or rescues (face sterilization requirements, pay sterilization costs, and may be subject to fines if they do not comply).

Key Provisions

• Extends the sterilization requirements from shelters to animal welfare organizations and rescues; defines terms like animal shelter, animal welfare organization, and sterilization.
• Sets sterilization timelines: 180+ days old must be sterilized before relinquishment; younger animals require a written guarantee to sterilize within 30 days after acquisition or within 30 days after reaching sexual maturity.
• Costs responsibility and verification: acquiring person pays for sterilization; pre-acquisition sterilization can be included in fees; a signed vet statement is required within 7 days if not sterilized at acquisition.
• Penalties: noncompliance is a misdemeanor with fines up to $1,000.
• Constitutional note: the bill is designed to create a new crime or amend existing crime, and is exempt from certain local-funding restrictions under Amendment 621.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Animals