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119-hr-8378119th CongressWALLET

Pets Belong with Families Act

Sponsored By: Representative Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]

Introduced

Summary

Would ban breed, size, and weight restrictions on pets in public housing. The Pets Belong with Families Act would set clear, limited rules for pet policies in public housing. It would allow a pet deposit up to 10% of a tenant's monthly base rent, let that deposit be spread over at least three months, and require returning any unused portion within 30 days after move-out. The bill would bar withholding a pet deposit for damage unrelated to the pet, including ordinary wear. It would also permit reasonable limits on animal numbers by unit size, prohibit species barred by state or local law, and allow excluding animals declared a public health or safety threat by a court.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Lower pet deposits for public housing

If enacted, public housing agencies would be able to require a pet deposit up to 10% of your monthly base rent. You would be able to pay that deposit over at least 3 months as part of your rent. Any unused deposit must be reimbursed within 30 days after you move out. A public housing agency would not be allowed to withhold the pet deposit for damage unrelated to the pet, including ordinary wear and tear.

Public housing: no breed or size bans

If enacted, a public housing agency would not be allowed to ban pets because of an animal's breed, size, or weight. The agency would still be able to limit how many animals are in a unit based on unit size or other relevant rules. The agency would also be able to prohibit an individual animal a court declares a threat or that state or local law already bans.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]

NY • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Crow, Jason [D-CO-6]

    CO • D

    Sponsored 4/20/2026

  • Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1]

    NV • D

    Sponsored 4/20/2026

  • Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 4/20/2026

  • Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 4/20/2026

  • Rep. Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11]

    NY • R

    Sponsored 4/20/2026

  • Rep. Underwood, Lauren [D-IL-14]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 4/20/2026

  • Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3]

    KS • D

    Sponsored 5/12/2026

  • Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 8/17/2026

  • Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

    DC • D

    Sponsored 9/16/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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