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2023 SESSION

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23104180D
SENATE BILL NO. 1384 Offered January 11, 2023 Prefiled January 11, 2023 A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 36-22.2, relating to housing authorities; common household pets. ---------- Patrons-- McClellan, Mason, Boysko and Surovell; Delegate: Kory ---------- Referred to Committee on General Laws and Technology ----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 36-22.2 as follows:

§ 36-22.2. Common household pets.

A. For purposes of this section:

"Common household pet" means a domesticated animal, such as a dog, cat, bird, rabbit, rodent, fish, or nonvenomous reptile that is traditionally kept in the home for companionship rather than for commercial purposes. "Common household pet" does not include an assistance animal as defined in § 36-96.1:1 or any animal prohibited by local ordinance pursuant to § 3.2-6544.

"Reasonable condition" means rules or policies including those governing nuisance or threat, leashing requirements, requirements to carry liability insurance coverage, and prohibitions on types of dogs classified as dangerous pursuant to §§ 3.2-6540 and 3.2-6540.1. "Reasonable condition" does not include a prohibition on a particular breed of common household pet, a limitation on the weight of the common household pet, or a limitation on the number of such pets owned or maintained beyond what a locality's ordinance states.

B. Each housing authority shall permit a tenant to own or maintain one or more common household pets within the tenant's dwelling unit, subject to applicable state and federal law and regulations regarding public health or safety, animal control, and animal cruelty, and other reasonable conditions.