Pets Belong with Families Act (H.R. 8378)
April 20, 2026
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Where This Stands
Currently in_committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →The Frame
If passed, this bill would prevent public housing authorities from enforcing breed or size restrictions on pets and limit pet deposits to 10% of a tenant's monthly rent, payable in installments.
Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.
Public housing tenants
Tenants are subject to new limits on pet deposits and gain protections against breed and size restrictions.
Public housing agencies
Agencies must update their pet policies to comply with new federal deposit caps and remove breed/size prohibitions.
Current stage: in_committee.
Floor Vote.
Summary
Key Facts
- Public housing agencies are prohibited from banning pets based on breed, size, or weight.
- Pet deposits are capped at 10% of a tenant's monthly base rent.
- Pet deposits must be paid in installments over at least 3 months.
- Unused pet deposits must be returned to the tenant within 30 days of moving out.
- Public housing agencies cannot use pet deposits to cover costs unrelated to the pet, such as ordinary wear and tear.
- Agencies may still limit the number of animals per unit based on size or conditions.
- Agencies may still prohibit species banned by state or local law.
- Agencies may still prohibit individual animals declared a threat to public health or safety by a court.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my public housing authority still ban certain dog breeds?
How much can I be charged for a pet deposit?
Can the housing authority keep my pet deposit for general apartment repairs?
Why It Matters
If passed, this bill would prevent public housing authorities from enforcing breed or size restrictions on pets and limit pet deposits to 10% of a tenant's monthly rent, payable in installments.
News Coverage
Sponsors
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Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Standardization of Pet Deposits
The bill moves toward a standardized federal approach for pet deposits in public housing, limiting both the amount and the payment structure.
Connected Entities
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance60How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy20Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz30Current news / social attention level
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