All Roll Calls
Yes: 56 • No: 7
NevadaAB38183rd Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET
AN ACT relating to animals; revising provisions governing the seizure of animals under certain circumstances; revising certain penalties and remedies for acts of animal cruelty; revising certain provisions governing the ownership and care of animals treated cruelly; revising provisions relating to immunity from civil liability for certain actions taken to protect or remove a pet from a motor vehicle under certain circumstances; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
Sponsored By: Brian Hibbetts (Republican), Brittney M. Miller (Democratic), Elaine H. Marzola (Democratic), Melissa R.. Hardy (Republican), Melanie Scheible (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
BDR 50-793
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
9 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 4 mixed.
Mental health help for youth offenders
If a child is adjudicated for cruelty or torture of an animal, the court must order a psychological evaluation. The child must take part in counseling or other treatment. Courts generally cannot make the child or parent pay. Courts must use funded, approved providers and bill any available insurance. Parents pay only if they choose a nonapproved provider or extra services beyond what is recommended.
Harsher penalties for severe cruelty
Willful and malicious acts that kill an animal, or are done to threaten or terrorize a person, are category B felonies. These carry 1 to 6 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. Injuring a police animal is a category D felony; killing or totally disabling one is a category B felony with the same 1–6 year range and up to a $10,000 fine. Courts may order agencies repaid for vet care and replacement costs.
Counseling can be required on probation
If you are convicted under the animal‑cruelty laws and get probation, the court can order a psychiatric evaluation. The court can also require counseling, therapy, a rehab program, or an education program. You must pay for these services only to the extent you can afford it.
Seven days to contest seized pets
When officers take an animal for cruelty, they must give written notice. You have 7 calendar days after you get the notice to ask for a court hearing. If you do not ask in time, or no owner is found within 7 days after a posted notice, the animal is forfeited to the local government. The government may rehome the animal or humanely destroy it. If you are not present, officers must post notice at the property and mail it once your address is found.
Protective orders can shield pets
Courts issuing protective orders can also bar the other party from hurting, threatening, or taking your animals. This includes stopping them from using someone else to take the pet.
Immunity for vets and officials
The state, local governments, officers, and veterinary staff are not liable when they recommend humane destruction under this law. The immunity applies only when they follow the statute.
Farm animals face seizure rules
Animals on agricultural land are now subject to the same seizure and impoundment rules as elsewhere. The prior exception for farm property is removed.
Safer rescues for pets in cars
Peace officers, animal control, firefighters, search‑and‑rescue members, and government safety officers can remove pets from cars without liability when they reasonably see serious risk. A removed pet is treated as a cruelly treated animal under state law. The caretaker may use the lien, disposition, and immunity rules in that law, which can include impound and forfeiture steps.
Stronger cruelty rules and care exception
The law bans abandoning animals. Trap‑vaccinate‑spay/neuter‑release for feral cats stays allowed. It also makes clear you can give humane emergency care to a gravely injured animal. The law repeals an older section to standardize these rules.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Brian Hibbetts
Republican • House
Brittney M. Miller
Democratic • House
Elaine H. Marzola
Democratic • House
Melissa R.. Hardy
Republican • House
Melanie Scheible
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
Cecelia González
Democratic • House
Cinthia Zermeño Moore
Democratic • House
David Orentlicher
Democratic • House
Duy Nguyen
Democratic • House
Erica P. Roth
Democratic • House
Hanadi Nadeem
Democratic • House
Joe Dalia
Democratic • House
Sandra Jauregui
Democratic • House
Selena La Rue Hatch
Democratic • House
Steve Yeager
Democratic • House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 6/2/2025
Final Passage - Senate (2nd Reprint)
Yes: 14 • No: 7
House vote • 5/16/2025
Final Passage - Assembly (1st Reprint)
Yes: 42 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Chapter 424.
6/9/2025legislatureApproved by the Governor.
6/9/2025legislatureEnrolled and delivered to Governor.
6/5/2025legislatureSenate Amendment No. 963 concurred in. To enrollment.
6/2/2025HouseIn Assembly.
6/2/2025HouseRead third time. Passed, as amended. Title approved, as amended. (Yeas: 14, Nays: 7.) To Assembly.
6/2/2025SenateFrom printer. To re-engrossment. Re-engrossed. Second reprint.
6/1/2025SenateRead second time. Amended. (Amend. No. 963.) To printer.
6/1/2025SenatePlaced on Second Reading File.
6/1/2025SenateFrom committee: Amend, and do pass as amended.
6/1/2025SenateRead first time. Referred to Committee on Judiciary. To committee.
5/19/2025SenateIn Senate.
5/19/2025SenateTo Senate.
5/16/2025HouseRead third time. Passed, as amended. Title approved, as amended. (Yeas: 42, Nays: None.)
5/16/2025HouseFrom printer. To engrossment. Engrossed. First reprint.
5/16/2025HouseRead second time. Amended. (Amend. No. 526.) To printer.
5/15/2025HouseFrom committee: Amend, and do pass as amended.
5/14/2025HouseWaiver granted effective: April 14, 2025.
4/14/2025House(Pursuant to Joint Standing Rule No. 14.3.1, no further action allowed.)
4/12/2025HouseNotice of eligibility for exemption.
3/12/2025HouseFrom printer. To committee.
3/11/2025HouseRead first time. Referred to Committee on Judiciary. To printer.
3/10/2025House
Bill Text
As Enrolled
As Introduced
Reprint 1
Reprint 2
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