SB344
Mammalian wildlife; premature separation and hybridization prohibited, exceptions.
Status:
In House
Latest Action:
Feb. 9, 2026
Senate: Read third time and passed Senate (26-Y 14-N 0-A)
Chief Patron:
Jennifer Boysko (D)
Session:
2026 Regular Session
Summary
As Introduced. Department of Wildlife Resources; premature separation and hybridization of mammalian wildlife prohibited; exceptions.
Makes it unlawful to prematurely separate any mammalian wildlife offspring born in captivity from the mother prior to the offspring turning four months of age, except that wildlife offspring may be prematurely separated if a medical necessity exists pursuant to a written order from a veterinarian with appropriate species-specific experience ... (More) and expertise licensed to practice in the Commonwealth. The bill excludes the following from its provisions: (i) agriculture animals; (ii) noncommercial transfers or trades between accredited zoological facilities; (iii) an accredited zoological facility, as defined in the bill, that retains the mammalian wildlife offspring that has already been prematurely separated by such zoological facility; and (iv) a person operating under a wildlife rehabilitator permit issued by the Department of Wildlife Resources. The bill also makes it unlawful to intentionally and for commercial purposes propagate mammalian wildlife of different species, also known as hybridization. (Less)-
Bill History
- 01/13/2026 - Senate: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26104692D
- 01/13/2026 - Senate: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
- 01/27/2026 - Senate: Senate committee offered
- 02/03/2026 - Senate: Senate committee offered
- 02/03/2026 - Senate: Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources with substitute (10-Y 3-N)
- 02/04/2026 - Senate: Committee substitute printed 26107014D-S1
- 02/05/2026 - Senate: Rules suspended
- 02/05/2026 - Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
- 02/05/2026 - Senate: Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)
- 02/06/2026 - Senate: Read second time
- 02/06/2026 - Senate: Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Substitute agreed to
- 02/06/2026 - Senate: Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute (Voice Vote)
- 02/09/2026 - Senate: Read third time and passed Senate (26-Y 14-N 0-A) Close Floor Vote
