HB 1933 Pennsylvania House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in riot, disorderly conduct and related offenses, providing for persons required to report suspected aggravated cruelty to animal.

HB 1933 amends Pennsylvania's criminal code to require certain professionals (like animal control officers or veterinarians) to report suspected severe animal abuse as part of their existing duties. The bill specifically adds "aggravated cruelty to animals" to the list of offenses that must be reported, similar to how other serious crimes are handled. This change directly affects those who work with animals and have legal obligations to report abuse, making the reporting requirement more explicit for this specific violation. The bill is currently pending in committee after being referred to the Judiciary Committee.
Bill status in committee 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Oct 2025
Committee Review
Oct 2025
House Passage
Oct 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Oct 8, 2025 Last action Oct 27, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Printer's No. PN2432 Printer's No. PN2521 · 4 edits
MODERATE
This bill update expands who can report suspected animal cruelty cases and clarifies protections for those reporters. It adds Certified Veterinary Technicians as eligible reporters, reorders the list of eligible professionals, and extends immunity protections to include state licensing actions. The changes aim to improve animal welfare reporting by including more qualified professionals and providing broader legal protections.
Scope change
Expanded eligibility to include Certified Veterinary Technicians as mandated reporters for suspected animal cruelty cases.
ELIGIBILITY

Added Certified Veterinary Technician as an eligible mandated reporter for suspected aggravated cruelty cases.

Reordered the list of eligible reporters, moving veterinary assistant and nonprofit employee positions to lower numbered items.

ENFORCEMENT

Extended immunity protections to include state licensing actions in addition to civil and criminal liability.

DEFINITION

Added formal definitions for Certified Veterinary Technician, Licensed Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, and Veterinary Assistant.

Floor votes · House Oct 15, 2025

How they voted

251
Passed
Total votes 26
Oct 15, 2025
D Democratic14
14 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican12
11 Yea 1 Nay
91% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
5
Key actions
2
Committee
1
Amendments
1
Oct 27, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported as amended
lower
Oct 15, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (25-1)
house
Oct 8, 2025
Committee
Referred to Judiciary
lower
1 primary · 20 co-sponsors

Sponsors