Sponsors (15)
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Last progress June 4, 2025 (8 months ago)
Introduced on June 4, 2025 by Jamie Ben Raskin
Provides legal protection for people, nonprofits, and State or local governments that donate or distribute apparently fit pet food or pet supplies in good faith to qualified animals. Donors are protected from civil and criminal liability unless their actions are grossly negligent or intentionally wrongful; donated items that don’t meet all labeling or quality standards may still be used if recipients are informed, agree to recondition, and are knowledgeable about the items.
A person who donates in good faith an apparently fit pet-related product to a State or unit of local government or a nonprofit organization for distribution to qualified animals shall not be subject to civil or criminal liability based on the product’s nature, age, packaging, or condition.
A nonprofit organization that receives in good faith an apparently fit pet-related product donated by a person for distribution to qualified animals shall not be subject to civil or criminal liability based on the product’s nature, age, packaging, or condition.
A State or unit of local government that receives in good faith an apparently fit pet-related product donated by a person for distribution to qualified animals shall not be subject to civil or criminal liability based on the product’s nature, age, packaging, or condition.
The liability protections in the section do not apply if an injury or death to an ultimate user or recipient results from an act or omission by the donor, nonprofit, or State/local government that constitutes gross negligence or intentional misconduct.
If donated pet food or supplies do not meet all Federal, State, and local quality and labeling standards, the donor will be exempt from liability only if the donor informs the recipient (State/local government or nonprofit) of the distressed or defective condition of the items.
Who is affected and how:
Donors and distributors (individuals, businesses, and nonprofits): Gain reduced legal risk when giving away apparently fit pet food or supplies in good faith. This lowers the legal barrier to donating surplus or near‑expiry items, but donors still face liability if conduct is grossly negligent or intentional.
Nonprofit animal shelters, rescue groups, and animal caretakers (recipients): May receive more donated pet food and supplies, including items that need relabeling or reconditioning, provided they are informed and able to address defects. Recipients should be prepared to inspect, document, and recondition products when necessary.
State and local governments: Officials and local agencies that distribute pet supplies (for example, in disaster response or community programs) receive the same liability protections, which could streamline distribution during emergencies or animal-relief efforts.
Consumers and pet owners: Could see increased availability of donated pet food and supplies through charities and rescue groups. There is a small potential consumer-safety risk if donated items are mischaracterized or if recipients are insufficiently knowledgeable to recondition unsafe products.
Legal and regulatory environment: Lowers civil/criminal exposure in routine donation situations, but maintains accountability for gross negligence and intentional misconduct. May reduce litigation over good-faith donations and help reduce food waste for pet products.
Overall effect: The legislation is likely to increase donations of pet food and supplies and reduce waste, while balancing public-safety concerns by preserving liability for serious wrongdoing and imposing conditions for use of substandard items.