HB 4540 Illinois House · 104th Regular Session

POSSESSION DISPUTES-PETS

Summary
Creates the Companion Animal Custody Equity Act. Provides that in a possession dispute involving a companion animal, a court may consider the well-being of the companion animal regardless of the marital status of the parties. "Companion animal" means a domesticated dog or cat that resides in a household. Authorizes the court to issue temporary possession or caregiving orders, including limited visitation, if necessary to reduce stress or disruption to the companion animal. Provides that for companion animals 10 years of age or older, courts may give additional consideration to factors including continuity of environment, emotional stability, stress minimization, and maintenance of established routines. Provides that a court may, if appropriate, order mediation between the parties to resolve issues related to companion animal possession.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2026
Committee Review
May 2026
House Passage
May 2026
Senate Passage
May 2026
Signed into Law
Jul 2026
Introduced Apr 15, 2026 Signed Jul 24, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed Enrolled · 1 edit · Jul 24, 2026
MINOR
The bill text was updated from its 'Engrossed' version to the final 'Enrolled' version ready for signing. The substantive legal content regarding temporary possession of companion animals remains unchanged, while page headers and footers were updated to reflect the final status.
TECHNICAL

Page headers and footers were updated to change the document title from 'HB4540 Engrossed' to 'HB4540 Enrolled', indicating the bill has passed all legislative stages and is in its final form.

Floor votes · Senate May 19, 2026 · House Apr 14, 2026

How they voted

517
Passed
Total votes 58
May 19, 2026
D Democratic39
39 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican19
12 Yea 7 Nay
63% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
38
Key actions
9
Committee
9
Amendments
2
Jul 24, 2026
Signed into law
Governor Approved
lower
May 19, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed Both Houses
lower
May 19, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third Reading - Passed; 052-007-000
upper
May 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
Do Pass Judiciary; 008-000-000
upper
Apr 28, 2026
Committee
Assigned to Judiciary
upper
Apr 15, 2026
Committee
Referred to Assignments
upper
Apr 15, 2026
Introduced
Arrive in Senate
upper
Apr 14, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 072-038-000
lower
Apr 14, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted
lower
Apr 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommends Be Adopted Judiciary - Civil Committee; 013-007-000
lower
Apr 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Floor Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Judiciary - Civil Committee
lower
Apr 7, 2026
Committee
House Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee
lower
Apr 7, 2026
Introduced
House Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Barbara Hernandez
lower
Mar 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
Do Pass / Short Debate Judiciary - Civil Committee; 013-007-000
lower
Feb 11, 2026
Committee
Assigned to Judiciary - Civil Committee
lower
Jan 30, 2026
Committee
Referred to Rules Committee
lower
2 primary · 4 co-sponsors

Sponsors