BARK Act of 2025
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To President
- Became Law
Overview
The BARK Act of 2025 aims to protect individuals who donate pet food and supplies to state and local governments or nonprofit organizations. It shields these donors from liability for the condition of the donated items, as long as they are donated in good faith and the recipient agrees to recondition them if necessary. The bill also clarifies definitions related to pet food, supplies, and qualified animals, while excluding gross negligence or intentional misconduct from liability protections.
Key provisions
- Protects individuals donating pet food and supplies to state/local governments and nonprofits.
- Shields donors from liability for the condition of donated items (unless gross negligence or intentional misconduct is involved).
- Requires recipients to inform donors of distressed conditions and agree to recondition items.
- Defines ‘apparently fit pet-related product’ as meeting all applicable quality and labeling standards.
- Clarifies definitions of ‘pet food,’ ‘pet supply,’ ‘qualified animal,’ ‘service animal,’ and ‘emotional support animal’.
- Excludes emotional support animals from the definition of ‘service animal.’
- States and localities are not required to meet all quality and labeling standards.
- References relevant Code of Federal Regulations sections for service animals and emotional support animals.
Who is affected
- Individuals donating pet food and supplies
Bill text
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Sponsors
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17 on record
Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
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