2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26102322D

HOUSE BILL NO. 673

Offered January 14, 2026

Prefiled January 13, 2026

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 9 of Chapter 65 of Title 3.2 a section numbered 3.2-6573.2, relating to establishment of Animal Cruelty Conviction List.

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Patron—McLaughlin

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Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Article 9 of Chapter 65 of Title 3.2 a section numbered 3.2-6573.2 as follows:

§ 3.2-6573.2. Animal Cruelty Conviction List established.

A. The Superintendent of State Police shall maintain within the Department of State Police a computerized Animal Cruelty Conviction List (the List) as a database of information regarding persons convicted of a felony violation of the prohibition against (i) cruelty to animals as provided by § 3.2-6570; (ii) animal fighting as provided by § 3.2-6571; (iii) maiming, killing, or poisoning an animal as provided by § 18.2-144; or (iv) killing or injuring a police animal as provided by § 18.2-144.1. Information on the List shall include the name of the offender at the time of conviction as well as the offense for which the offender was convicted and the date and jurisdiction of conviction. The List shall be made publicly available on the Department of State Police's website.

B. Any person convicted of an offense listed in subsection A shall pay a fee upon conviction in the amount of $50 per conviction that shall be used by the Department of State Police to pay for the maintenance of the List. The Department of State Police shall automatically purge from the List a person's name and information 15 years after its listing if he has no additional felony conviction of an offense listed in this section.

C. The Department of State Police shall develop forms to implement and enforce the provisions of this section, including the operation and maintenance of the List and the removal of the records of persons who are deceased, whose convictions have been reversed, or who have been pardoned.

2. That the Superintendent of State Police shall establish the Animal Cruelty Conviction List required pursuant to the provisions of § 3.2-6573.2 of the Code of Virginia, as created by this act, no later than January 1, 2028.

3. That the Animal Cruelty Conviction List required pursuant to the provisions of § 3.2-6573.2 of the Code of Virginia, as created by this act, shall contain the information required by § 3.2-6573.2 of the Code of Virginia, as created by this act, for all persons convicted on or after July 1, 2026, of any felony violation enumerated in § 3.2-6573.2 of the Code of Virginia, as created by this act.