# Maryland HB 0053: Criminal Law – Nondomesticated Animal Prohibitions – Alterations

Maryland HB 0053, Criminal Law – Nondomesticated Animal Prohibitions – Alterations, is a 2026 Regular Session House bill sponsored by Mary A. Lehman (Democratic); status failed, last action 2026-03-20 (Hearing 3/25 at 1:00 p.m.) (as of 2026-10-16).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-HB0053-2026RS
- As of: 2026-10-16
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Maryland HB 0053
- State: Maryland
- Session: 2026 Regular Session
- Title: Criminal Law – Nondomesticated Animal Prohibitions – Alterations
- Status: failed
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2025-09-16
- Last action: 2026-03-20, Hearing 3/25 at 1:00 p.m.
- Sponsor: Mary A. Lehman (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 5
- Subjects: Criminal Law - Substantive Crimes, Animals -see also- Birds; Dogs; Domestic An; Horses; Livestk, Crimes and Punishments -see also- Penalties and Sentnc; etc., Notices, Transfer of Goods -see also- Goods&Svc; Leas&Rnt; RetailSale
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 1 (98 yes, 33 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

No summary available.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Mary A. Lehman (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Linda Foley (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Julie Palakovich Carr (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Sheila Ruth (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Jen Terrasa (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Natalie Ziegler (Democratic), House

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-02-26 | House | Third Reading Passed | pass | 98 | 33 | 5 |

## Actions (13)

- 2026-03-20: Hearing 3/25 at 1:00 p.m. (Senate)
- 2026-02-27: Referred Judicial Proceedings (Senate)
- 2026-02-26: Third Reading Passed (98-33) (House)
- 2026-02-25: Second Reading Passed (House)
- 2026-02-25: Floor Amendment {543221/1 (Delegate Hornberger) Withdrawn (House)
- 2026-02-24: Motion Special Order until 2/25 (Delegate Hornberger) Adopted (House)
- 2026-02-24: Favorable Adopted (House)
- 2026-02-23: Favorable Report by Judiciary (House)
- 2026-01-22: Hearing 2/05 at 1:00 p.m. (House)
- 2026-01-22: Hearing canceled (House)
- 2026-01-16: Hearing 2/05 at 2:00 p.m. (House)
- 2026-01-14: First Reading Judiciary (House)
- 2025-09-16: Pre-filed (House)

## Bill text

- Third Reading, 2026-02-25: [PDF](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/hb/hb0053t.pdf)
- First Reading, 2026-01-14: [PDF](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/hb/hb0053f.pdf)

## Related bills

- SB 0496: Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Coverage for the Treatment of Obesity - Authorization (became law)
- SB 0366: Motor Vehicles - Intelligent Speed Assistance System Pilot Program - Establishment (became law)
- SB 0244: Code Revision - Health - Maryland Medical Assistance Program (became law)
- SB 0148: Income Tax - Credit for 9-1-1 Specialist Retirement Income (Supporting Our 9-1-1 Specialists Act) (became law)
- SB 0016: Child Support - Earnings Withholdings Limits (became law)
- HB 0529: Code Revision - Health - Maryland Medical Assistance Program (became law)

## Sources
- [Third Reading (PDF)](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/hb/hb0053t.pdf)
- [First Reading (PDF)](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/bills/hb/hb0053f.pdf)

## Related
- [SB 0496: Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Coverage for the Treatment of Obesity - A…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0496-2026RS)
- [SB 0366: Motor Vehicles - Intelligent Speed Assistance System Pilot Program - Establishm…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0366-2026RS)
- [SB 0244: Code Revision - Health - Maryland Medical Assistance Program](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0244-2026RS)
- [SB 0148: Income Tax - Credit for 9-1-1 Specialist Retirement Income (Supporting Our 9-1-…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0148-2026RS)
- [SB 0016: Child Support - Earnings Withholdings Limits](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-SB0016-2026RS)
- [HB 0529: Code Revision - Health - Maryland Medical Assistance Program](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-HB0529-2026RS)
- [Maryland bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/maryland/bills)
- [Maryland state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/maryland)
- [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/MD-HB0053-2026RS (as of 2026-10-16).