Photo by Wesley Tingey on Unsplash
While many consider their pets beloved family members, Pennsylvania law has historically viewed them as property. However, that could soon change if House Bill 97, in which the state will recognize pets as family members during divorce proceedings, passes in the Pennsylvania Senate.
The proposed bill easily passed the Pennsylvania House with 121 lawmakers in favor of the legislation and 82 opposed. If it passes in the State Senate, the bill will then go to Harrisburg for Governor Josh Shapiro to sign.
Representative Anita Kulik, a Democrat from House District 5, along with six other Pennsylvania House Democrats, sponsored the bill that will drastically change the way pet custody is handled in court. House Bill 97 would ensure the best interests of pets are considered during divorce hearings by establishing several benchmarks the judge will use when determining custody, including:
- When were the pets adopted or purchased? Before or during the marriage?
- What are the pets’ basic daily needs?
- Who has the financial means to support them?
- Who is responsible for ensuring the pets meet all applicable laws and regulations? For example, who makes sure a dog is properly licensed?
- Who is responsible for taking the pets to the vet and ensuring they are socialized?
The answers to such questions will allow the judge to better determine which party should receive custody of the pet(s).
House Bill 97 is co-sponsored by Eddie Pashinski (District 21), Benjamin Sanchez (District 153), Carol Hill Evans (District 95), Joe Ciresi (District 146), Michael Schlossberg (District 132), and Joseph Hohenstein (District 177).
Read the groundbreaking legislation in Pennsylvania, and follow the movement of House Bill 97: Pet Custody.
