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Office of the Revisor of Statutes

HF 4160

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 03/12/2026 03:08 p.m.

KEY: stricken = removed, old language.
underscored = added, new language.
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A bill for an act
 relating to public safety; expanding the application of the Pet and Companion
Animal Welfare Act; increasing criminal penalties for maltreatment of animals;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 346.36, subdivision 1; 346.44;
repealing Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 346.37, subdivision 5.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 346.36, subdivision 1, is amended to read:


Subdivision 1.

Scope.

Sections 346.35 to 346.44 deleted text begin shall onlydeleted text end apply to new text begin all persons, including
but not limited to new text end veterinarians, animal boarding facilities, and commercial animal facilities.
deleted text begin As used indeleted text end new text begin For purposes of new text end sections 346.35 to 346.44new text begin ,new text end the terms defined in this section have
the meanings given deleted text begin themdeleted text end .

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 346.44, is amended to read:


346.44 PENALTIES.

Except where otherwise indicated, a person found guilty of failure to comply with a
provision of sections 346.36 to 346.42 is guilty of a new text begin gross new text end misdemeanor.new text begin A person who is
convicted a second or subsequent time for a violation of sections 346.36 to 346.42 or has
a prior conviction for violating a provision of chapter 343 is guilty of a felony and may be
sentenced to imprisonment for not more than two years or to payment of a fine of not more
than $10,000, or both.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin REPEALER.
new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 346.37, subdivision 5, new text end new text begin is repealed.
 new text end

APPENDIX

Repealed Minnesota Statutes: 26-07652

346.37 GENERAL PROVISIONS.

Subd. 5.

Interpretation of terms.

A dispute as to the meaning of "abuse," "cruelty," or "neglect" shall be resolved by an expert opinion.