103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB1533
 
Introduced 1/31/2023, by Rep. Barbara Hernandez
 
SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 

 
510 ILCS 5/3.10 new

     Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act. Provides that a person  shall not perform surgical claw removal, declawing, or a tendonectomy on any cat or otherwise alter a cat's toes, claws, or paws to prevent or impair the normal function of the cat's toes, claws, or paws, except for a therapeutic purpose. Provides that the Department of Agriculture shall subject person who violates the provisions to a civil penalty of $500 for a first violation, $1,000 for a second violation, and $2,500 for a third or subsequent violation.
  


LRB103 06016 RJT 51042 b

 
 
A BILL FOR
 

  
HB1533LRB103 06016 RJT 51042 b


  
1    AN ACT concerning animals.
  
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
 
3represented in the General Assembly:
  
 
 
4    Section 5. The Humane Care for Animals Act is amended  by 
5adding Section 3.10 as follows:
 
6    (510 ILCS 5/3.10 new)
7    Sec. 3.10. Cat declawing.
8    (a) As used in this Section:
9    "Declawing" means an onychectomy or any other surgical 
10procedure to amputate or modify a portion of a cat's paw in 
11order to remove the cat's claws. This term does not include the 
12trimming of nonviable claw husk or placing nonpermanent nail 
13caps.
14    "Tendonectomy" means a procedure in which the tendons to a 
15cat's limbs, paws, or toes are cut or modified so that the 
16normal functioning of the claws is impaired.
17    "Therapeutic purpose" means a medically necessary 
18procedure to address an existing or recurring infection, 
19disease, injury, or abnormal condition in the claws, nail bed, 
20or toe bone, which jeopardizes the cat's health. "Therapeutic 
21purpose" does not include a procedure performed for a cosmetic 
22or aesthetic purpose or to make the cat more convenient to keep 
23or handle.
 
 
HB1533- 2 -LRB103 06016 RJT 51042 b

1    (b) A person  shall not perform surgical claw removal, 
2declawing, or a tendonectomy on any cat or otherwise alter a 
3cat's toes, claws, or paws to prevent or impair the normal 
4function of the cat's toes, claws, or paws.
5    (c) This Section does not apply to a person who performs a 
6procedure solely for a therapeutic purpose. 
7    (d) The Department of Agriculture shall impose upon a 
8person who violates this Section a civil penalty of $500 for a 
9first violation, $1,000 for a second violation, and $2,500 for 
10a third or subsequent violation.