Pets Belong with Families Act
Sponsored By: Senator Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]
Introduced
Summary
Ban on breed, size, and weight pet restrictions in public housing would protect tenants who keep animals. The bill would also set clear rules for pet deposits, limits on numbers of animals, and narrow exceptions tied to law or court orders.
Show full summary
- Families and tenants: Would prevent housing authorities from banning pets by breed, size, or weight, and would cap a pet deposit at 10 percent of monthly base rent. The deposit must be paid over at least 3 months and any unused amount must be returned within 30 days after moving out.
- Public housing agencies: Would be allowed to limit the number of animals based on unit size and to require a pet deposit within the 10 percent cap. Agencies would be barred from using a pet deposit to pay for damage not caused by the pet, including normal wear and tear.
- Courts and state or local law: Would let agencies prohibit species that state or local law already bans and exclude individual animals declared threats by a court of competent jurisdiction.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Ban on breed bans in public housing
If enacted, public housing agencies would not be allowed to ban pets because of their breed, size, or weight. Agencies could still limit the number of animals in a unit or building based on unit size or other relevant conditions. Agencies could also prohibit species that State or local law bans. An individual animal could be barred if a court declares it a threat to public health and safety or state or local law forbids its ownership.
Lower pet deposit for public housing
If enacted, public housing agencies would be limited in how they charge pet deposits. A pet deposit could not exceed 10% of your monthly base rent. The deposit must be paid back over at least 3 months as part of rent. Any unused deposit must be returned within 30 days after you move out. Agencies could not withhold the pet deposit for damage unrelated to the pet, including ordinary wear and tear.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]
CA • D
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov