SB 446 · 2026 · Senate · Commerce Committee
Animal boarding facility safety rules
AI-generatedrequiring animal care center operators to notify dog owners when a dog will be left unattended and to report injuries to animals or people which occur on the premises of the animal care center.
Requires animal care centers to notify dog owners when a dog will be left unattended or when the facility lacks a functioning fire sprinkler system, requires reporting of injuries occurring on the premises, and authorizes annual local law enforcement inspections with penalties for noncompliance.AI-generated
Status
Died on the table in the Senate · March 12, 2026- ✓Introduced
- ✕Senate
- House
- Governor
- Law
Analysis
This bill: I. Requires that animal care centers notify dog owners when a dog will be left unattended and if the center is not equipped with a functioning fire protection sprinkler system. II. Requires that animal care centers report injuries that occur to people or animals on the animal care center's property. III. Enables local law enforcement to annually inspect animal care centers and provides a penalty for not maintaining proper care of the animal care center.
From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.
In the bill's words
Quoted verbatim from the bill as amended by the Senate. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site
“"Animal care center" means a commercial dog care facility, including boarding kennels, dog daycare facilities, board-and-train programs, and grooming facilities when dogs are kept under the facility’s supervision for a period of time.”
“An animal care center owner or operator who is boarding or providing services to 6 or more dogs at the center shall not leave the dogs unattended without an employee present unless:”
“Animal care centers shall report to local law enforcement any injury to an animal or person that requires veterinary or medical treatment, results in death, or involves suspected cruelty or neglect, and such reports shall be investigated by local law enforcement.”
“No person shall operate an animal care center in the state without first obtaining a certification from the commissioner of the department of agriculture, markets, and food.”
Official record
gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source
Sponsors
- Sen. Daniel InnisRChair· Commerce
- Sen. Kevin AvardRDeputy Majority Whip
- Sen. Regina BirdsellRMajority Leader
Public testimony
No one submitted online testimony on this bill. See the record
Votes
yeanay- Overall83% yea
- Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
- Mar 12, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass6–0Overall100% yea
- Mar 12, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to PassadoptedResulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
- Mar 12, 2026SenateVoice voteSen. Birdsell Moved Laid on Tableadopted
Hearings and debates
- Jan 20, 2026Public hearingSenate Commerce1:46:07–1:48:152m 8slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
- Feb 19, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0685s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0685s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-0685s — adopted, voice vote
- Mar 12, 2026Floor debateSenate floor57:50–59:361m 46slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote; Sen. Birdsell Moved Laid on Table — adopted, voice vote
Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.
Legislative history
- Jan 7, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Commerce; SJ 1
- Jan 20, 2026SenHearing: 01/20/2026, Room 100, SH, 10:45 am; SC 1
- Feb 19, 2026SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0685s, 02/19/2026; Vote 5-1; CC; SC 6
- Feb 19, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-0685s, AA, VV; 02/19/2026; SJ 4
- Feb 19, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-0685s, MA, VV; Refer to Finance Rule 4-5; 02/19/2026; SJ 4
- Mar 12, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 03/12/2026, Vote 6-0; SC 9
- Mar 12, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; 03/12/2026; SJ 6
- Mar 12, 2026SenSen. Birdsell Moved Laid on Table, MA, VV; 03/12/2026; SJ 6
- Mar 12, 2026SenPending Motion OT3rdg; 03/12/2026; SJ 6
Coverage
No reporting linked yet.
Documents (PDF)
Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.