The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.Pennsylvania House Bill 2804 Establishes Criminal Offenses and Fines for Leaving Animals in Unattended Motor Vehicles
Last action · September 25, 2026: Referred to JUDICIARY, Sept. 25, 2026Sponsors: Jeanne McNeill and 11 others
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What This Bill Would Do
Pennsylvania House Bill 2804 makes it a crime to intentionally, recklessly, or negligently leave an animal in an unattended motor vehicle under conditions that endanger its health or safety. The measure sets fines up to $100 for a first offense and up to $500 or six months in prison for subsequent violations or cases involving serious injury, while granting immunity to citizens and s who forcibly enter vehicles to save distressed animals under strict guidelines.
Pet owners face criminal fines and potential imprisonment if their animals are left unattended in dangerous weather conditions, while everyday residents and emergency responders gain legal protection to break into locked vehicles to rescue endangered animals.
- Pennsylvania House Bill 2804 was introduced in the House of Representatives by Representative McNeill during the 2025-2026 legislative session. context
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
animal owners
Animal owners face new criminal penalties, fines, and potential imprisonment if they leave animals in unattended vehicles under dangerous conditions.
rescue officials
Rescue officials are explicitly authorized to break into motor vehicles to remove endangered animals and must transport them to a shelter or veterinary hospital.
agricultural animal transporters
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the penalties for a first-time offense of leaving an animal in a hot car?
Can a regular citizen break into a locked car to rescue a trapped pet without being prosecuted?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
1 action- Sep 25, 2026HouseCommitteeReferred to JUDICIARY, Sept. 25, 2026
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 →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Show 7 more sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
www.palegis.us
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance65How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy20Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz35Current news / social attention level
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