Virginia 2017 Regular Session Status: In Committee

SB 959 — Va Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord to inspect vacated dwelling for abandoned animals.

Last action — Left in Courts of Justice

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House of Delegates
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 2017 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Summary

Prohibits a tenant from abandoning a companion animal either during the tenancy or after vacating the dwelling unit and provides that the penalty for such abandonment is a Class 3 misdemeanor.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

20 added · 39 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amendment to Bill SB 959 replaces a provision that required landlords to inspect vacated properties for abandoned animals with a new requirement for tenants. Now, tenants are held responsible for not abandoning their companion animals during or after their tenancy. This change emphasizes the responsibility of tenants toward their pets and establishes penalties for abandoning them, highlighting the importance of animal welfare in rental situations.

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SESSION history | hilite | pdf | print version 17101755D SENATE BILL NO.
SESSION history | hilite | pdf | print version 17104940D SENATE BILL NO.
959 Offered January 11, 2017 Prefiled January 2, 2017 A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 55-248.37:1, relating to the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act;
959 AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE (Proposed by the Senate Committee on General Laws and Technology on January 30, 2017) (Patron Prior to Substitute--Senator Spruill) A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 55-248.16:1 relating to the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act;
landlord to inspect vacated dwelling unit for abandoned animals;
responsibility of tenant;
abandoned animals;
---------- Patron-- Spruill ---------- Referred to Committee on General Laws and Technology ---------- Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 55-248.37:1 as follows:
That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 55-248.16:1 as follows:
§ 55-248.37:1.
§ 55-248.16:1.
Landlord to inspect for abandoned animals;
Tenant responsibility;
abandoned animal;
As used in this section, "abandoned animal" means any companion animal as defined in § 3.2-6500 or specialty pet as defined in § 3.2-4800 that is found in a dwelling unit vacated through termination of tenancy or abandonment or pursuant to an action of unlawful detainer.
In addition to the obligations set out in § 55-248.16, the tenant shall not abandon a companion animal either during the tenancy or after the tenant vacates the dwelling unit.
The penalty for such abandonment shall be as set out in § 3.2-6504.
Within three days after a landlord knew or should have known that a dwelling unit has been vacated through termination of tenancy or abandonment or pursuant to an action of unlawful detainer, the landlord shall inspect the dwelling unit for the presence of any abandoned animals.
As used in this section:
If the landlord encounters an abandoned animal, he shall immediately notify an animal control officer as defined in § 3.2-6555 or law-enforcement officer as defined in defined in § 9.1-101 of the presence and condition of the animal.
"Abandon" means the same as that term is defined in § 3.2-6500.
A landlord who encounters an abandoned animal under this section shall not be considered the owner or custodian of the animal.
"Companion animal" means the same as that term is defined in § 3.2-6500.
C.
Any person who fails to comply with the provisions of this section is subject to a civil penalty of $500.
Such penalty shall be collected by attorney for the locality in which the dwelling unit is located, and the proceeds shall be deposited into the Literary Fund.
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Action History

  1. Left in Courts of Justice

  2. Subcommittee recommends laying on the table by voice vote

  3. Assigned Courts sub: Criminal Law

  4. Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

  5. Read first time

  6. Placed on Calendar

  7. Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute SB959S1

  8. Committee substitute agreed to 17104940D-S1

  9. Reading of substitute waived

  10. Read second time

  11. Referred to Committee on General Laws and Technology

  12. Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/11/17 17101755D

Sponsors

  • Sr. Lionell Spruill · Primary

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 147 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

  • Lionell Spruill, Sr.

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (147)

147 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 147 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Subjects

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Frequently asked questions

What does SB 959 do?
Prohibits a tenant from abandoning a companion animal either during the tenancy or after vacating the dwelling unit and provides that the penalty for such abandonment is a Class 3 misdemeanor.
Who sponsors SB 959?
SB 959 is sponsored by Lionell Spruill, Sr..
What is the current status of SB 959?
This bill died with 2017 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track SB 959?
Track SB 959 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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