HB 5264 Connecticut House · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT CONCERNING SERVICE ANIMALS IN INSURANCE UNDERWRITING, THE APPOINTMENT OF AN ADVOCATE IN PROCEEDINGS CONCERNING THE WELFARE OR CUSTODY OF COMPANION ANIMALS, ASSAULT OF A DOMESTIC ANIMAL AND ESTABLISHING AN ANIMAL ABUSE TASK FORCE.

HB 5264 prohibits insurers from canceling, refusing to renew, or denying homeowners or renters insurance based solely on a dog's breed (if it's a service animal for disabled individuals) or ownership of a therapy animal, effective October 2026. It requires courts to appoint independent advocates in pet welfare or custody cases to monitor proceedings and provide information about the animal's condition, using a list maintained by the Department of Agriculture. The bill also upgrades animal cruelty to a class D felony and expands assault laws to include intentional harm to domestic animals, making such acts punishable by up to one year in prison. These changes directly affect pet owners, insurance companies, courts, and animal welfare proceedings.

Issues: ✓ Healthcare

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Feb 19, 2026 Last action Mar 23, 2026

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What changed between versions

Raised Bill → INS Joint Favorable Substitute Change of Reference · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill was converted from a 'Raised Bill' to a 'Substitute Bill' with significant substantive changes. The most notable change is the removal of protections for therapy animals, which previously prevented insurance companies from denying coverage based on therapy animal ownership. The bill also removes the ability to be charged with a felony for first-time animal cruelty offenses, downgrading it to a class D felony. Additionally, the definition of assault of a domestic animal was expanded to include elderly, blind, disabled, pregnant persons, and persons with intellectual disabilities as protected victims.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed by removing protections for therapy animals in insurance underwriting, while expanding protections for domestic animals in assault cases to include vulnerable human victims.

ELIGIBILITY

Removed protection against insurance denial based on ownership of therapy animals, which previously prevented insurers from using therapy animal ownership as a reason to cancel or refuse policies.

ENFORCEMENT

Changed animal cruelty penalties from a tiered system (fine or imprisonment for first offense, felony for subsequent offenses) to a flat class D felony for all offenses.

DEFINITION

Expanded the definition of assault of a domestic animal to include cases where the victim is elderly, blind, disabled, pregnant, or a person with intellectual disability.

TECHNICAL

Changed the bill type designation from 'Raised Bill' to 'Substitute Bill' with updated committee reference and page numbering.

Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 12, 2026

Lower · Passed

Joint Favorable Substitute Change of Reference JUD

lower

Feb 19, 2026

Committee

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Insurance and Real Estate

lower

8 primary · 0 co-sponsors