SB 899 Missouri Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Modifies provisions relating to abuse and neglect reporting, including a requirement to report companion animal abuse

SB 899 modifies existing abuse and neglect reporting laws to require individuals to report suspected abuse or neglect of companion animals, such as dogs and cats. This bill directly affects mandated reporters (like healthcare workers, teachers, and child welfare staff) who currently report human abuse but would now also need to report companion animal abuse under certain circumstances. The key provision adds companion animal abuse to the list of incidents that must be reported to authorities, aligning animal welfare with human welfare reporting protocols. The bill is currently in the committee referral stage and has not yet been voted on.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Dec 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Dec 1, 2025 Last action Mar 25, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

4274S.01I - Introduced → Senate Committee Substitute - Committee Version · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was revised to expand the required training duration for eligible adult protective service providers from one hour to one and a half hours and to clarify the definition of 'animal' for reporting purposes. Additionally, the committee version added specific protections for reporters, ensuring they cannot face adverse employment actions for making reports, and updated the agency responsible for training materials from animal welfare associations to the department of agriculture.

Scope change

The scope of the bill's applicability was expanded regarding training requirements and clarified regarding the definition of animals involved in abuse cases.

REQUIREMENT

The mandatory training duration for persons providing protective services to eligible adults was increased from one hour to one and a half hours.

The entity responsible for developing training materials was changed from animal welfare associations to the department of agriculture.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'animal' in the context of abuse reporting was narrowed to specifically include dogs, cats, rabbits, and birds.

ENFORCEMENT

New provisions were added to protect reporters from sanctions or adverse employment actions for making abuse or neglect reports.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 25, 2026

Upper · Passed

SCS Voted Do Pass S Families, Seniors and Health Committee (4274S.04C)

upper

Feb 25, 2026

Upper · Passed

Hearing Conducted S Families, Seniors and Health Committee

upper

Dec 1, 2025

Introduced

Prefiled

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors