2015 House Bill 4353 / 2016 Public Act 392

Mandate pet adoption criminal background check

Introduced in the House

March 18, 2015

Introduced by Rep. Harvey Santana (D-9)

To mandate that animal shelters must check a government criminal records database before letting person adopt an animal, and prohibit adoptions if the records show a person committed an animal cruelty offense in the past five years. See also Senate Bill 220.

Referred to the Committee on Judiciary

May 12, 2015

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Feb. 9, 2016

Passed in the House 88 to 17 (details)

To mandate that animal shelters must check a government criminal records database before letting person adopt an animal, and prohibit adoptions if the records show a person committed an animal cruelty offense in the past five years.

Received in the Senate

Feb. 10, 2016

Referred to the Committee on Judiciary

Feb. 18, 2016

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (S-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Dec. 14, 2016

Substitute offered by Sen. Rick Jones (R-24)

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that also imposes new restrictions on puppy breeding.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Sen. Rick Jones (R-24)

To remove the prohibition on pet shops and shelters letting a proven animal abuser adopt a pet, but permit them to deny such sales.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Passed in the Senate 30 to 7 (details)

To allow animal shelters to refuse an adoptions if the records show a person committed an animal cruelty offense.

Received in the House

Dec. 15, 2016

Passed in the House 81 to 27 (details)

Signed by Gov. Rick Snyder

Dec. 28, 2016