SB 375 Maryland Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Crimes Relating to Animals - Restrictions on Keeping Roosters

SB 375 restricts private rooster ownership in Maryland by limiting most individuals to no more than 5 roosters per acre or 25 total roosters on a single property, effective January 1, 2027, unless authorized by the Department of Agriculture. Exemptions include commercial poultry producers, public/private schools receiving state funds, government shelters, animal welfare organizations, and 4-H/Future Farmers of America members with written authorization from their county. Violations carry fines up to $1,000, and enforcement involves cooperation between the Department of Agriculture and local animal control or law enforcement. The bill does not override stricter local ordinances or other existing laws regarding rooster ownership.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

House of Delegates Passage

Mar 2025

Signed into Law

Apr 2025

Introduced Jan 17, 2025 Signed Apr 22, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Agriculture - Roosters - Restrictions → Third - Crimes Relating to Animals - Restrictions on Keeping Roosters · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was reclassified from an agriculture-focused measure to a criminal law provision, expanding its legal weight. The primary substantive change is the shift from criminal misdemeanor penalties to civil penalties for violations, with a tiered enforcement approach based on offense frequency. The bill also added a specific exemption for individuals who keep more hens than roosters, and clarified the definition of 'enclosure' to include various confinement structures.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from being classified under 'Agriculture' to 'Criminal Law', indicating a shift in how violations are legally categorized and enforced.

ENFORCEMENT

Violations changed from criminal misdemeanors with fines up to $1,000 to civil offenses with a tiered penalty system: warning for first offense, up to $500 per rooster for second offense, and up to $1,000 per rooster for third or subsequent offenses.

ELIGIBILITY

Added a new exemption allowing individuals to keep more roosters if they can prove they kept more adult hens than roosters in the preceding 6-month period.

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'enclosure' to include structures used for confinement such as wire cages, water tanks, or plastic barrels, and clarified that enclosures must prevent interaction with other roosters.

TECHNICAL

Changed the article classification from 'Agriculture' to 'Criminal Law' and modified the section number to align with criminal law statutes.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 27, 2025 · House of Delegates Mar 14, 2025

How they voted

46–0

Passed

Total votes 46

Feb 27, 2025

D Democratic33

33 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican13

13 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 22, 2025

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 184

executive

Mar 31, 2025

Upper · Passed

Returned Passed

upper

Mar 31, 2025

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Mar 28, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed

lower

Mar 28, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable Report by Environment and Transportation

lower

Mar 15, 2025

Committee

Referred Environment and Transportation

lower

Mar 14, 2025

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Mar 13, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

upper

Mar 13, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

Feb 27, 2025

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (46-0)

senate

Jan 17, 2025

Committee

First Reading Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors