BY LAUREN CARUVANA / FULL360 REPORTER

Soon, people may know whether a potential pet owner has faced animal abuse charges. Pennsylvania lawmakers are introducing bills to make those convicted of animal abuse public, similar to the Megan’s law database.

House Bill No. 2143 is a proposed database that will contain a list of individuals convicted of animal abuse in the state of Pennsylvania—similar to the Megan’s Law registry used to track convicted sex offenders. The database will allow shelters, breeders, and the general public to view an individual’s criminal history regarding animal welfare to help prevent animals from being placed in an unsafe environment. The bill was introduced in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in January of 2026.

Allyson Currier, a senior Delaware Valley University Zoo Science major, said, “I think it is great that this bill is being discussed. There are some people who shouldn’t be able to have animals if they don’t know how to properly take care of them.”

Supporters of the bill say the registry would serve as a preventative measure against animal abuse, and may even deter motivated offenders from engaging in the crime.

Allowing the public to view such a registry may help shelters and adoption agencies make informed decisions when considering a potential pet owner.

Currier said, “When it comes to shelters and adoption agencies, it could prevent animals from ending up in the wrong hands.”

However, Currier also acknowledged potential concerns, saying, “This bill could affect someone if there was a misunderstanding… it could ruin that person’s chance of getting another pet.”

This isn’t the first time such legislation is being proposed. This legislation follows increased awareness and legislative efforts to address animal abuse in Pennsylvania in recent years.

In response, the state has passed several bills that seek to strengthen the protection and welfare of animals, the most notable being Libre’s Law in 2017, which increased penalties for animal cruelty and classified aggravated abuse as a felony offense. Similar to House Bill No. 2143, Senator Dan Laughlin announced his intent to introduce Aimee’s Law, which would create a public registry of convicted animal abusers.

Ariella Cambronero Fernandez, a senior Delaware Valley University Animal Science major, said, “I do worry about people who sell animals not having access to these lists… We have a big puppy mill problem especially with Lancaster and the Amish. They don’t use technology, so they wouldn’t be able to access that.”

Cambronero Fernandez also said, “Animal abuse can serve as a precursor for other forms of abuse, like physical abuse with a spouse or a partner. Sometimes people who are in domestic violence relationships see signs of their dogs or cats getting hurt first before abusers move onto them. I think that’s especially important because if you do later on see a person who abused another person, you could be like ‘oh, this person also had a history of abusing their animal. Maybe we could’ve stopped this or done something.’”

If passed, Pennsylvania State Police will maintain and post a list on a publicly accessible website that makes a convicted individual’s full name and photo visible for two years. If the individual repeats an offense, the information will remain available for a consecutive five years following the date of their conviction. 

State Representative Kathleen C. Tomlinson is the prime sponsor of the bill, along with several co-sponsors including Representatives Tarah Probst, Gina H. Curry, Jeanne McNeill, Kristen Marcell, Christina Sappey, Robert James, and Sean Dougherty.

House Bill No. 2143 was introduced on Jan. 14th, 2026, and referred to the House Judiciary Committee.

Pennsylvania law defines animal abuse broadly, and convictions can involve a wide range of animals. This may include companion animals as well as other protected animals under state cruelty laws. However, accepted agricultural and farming practices are typically exempt from animal cruelty charges. 

The Bill is still in the early stages of the legislative process. Its passing depends on committee review and the approval of the House of Representatives. Lawmakers will continue to evaluate the proposal before going forward.