Pennsylvania HB 1515: An Act amending the act of December 7, 1982 (P.L.784, No.225), known as the Dog Law, providing for insurance.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 1771
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 1515
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY TOMLINSON AND GUENST, MAY 28, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT,
MAY 29, 2025
AN ACT
Amending the act of December 7, 1982 (P.L.784, No.225), entitled
"An act relating to dogs, regulating the keeping of dogs;
providing for the licensing of dogs and kennels; providing
for the protection of dogs and the detention and destruction
of dogs in certain cases; regulating the sale and
transportation of dogs; declaring dogs to be personal
property and the subject of theft; providing for the
abandonment of animals; providing for the assessment of
damages done to animals; providing for payment of damages by
the Commonwealth in certain cases and the liability of the
owner or keeper of dogs for such damages; imposing powers and
duties on certain State and local officers and employees;
providing penalties; and creating a Dog Law Restricted
Account," providing for insurance.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of December 7, 1982 (P.L.784, No.225),
known as the Dog Law, is amended by adding an article to read:
ARTICLE I-A
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES
Section 101-A. Insurance.
(a) Prohibited conduct.--Subject to subsection (b), an
insurer may not, based solely upon an insured's harboring or
owning of a dog of a specific breed or mixture of breeds:
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(1) Refuse to issue or renew a homeowner's insurance
policy of the insured.
(2) Cancel a homeowner's insurance policy of the
insured.
(3) Charge or impose an increased premium or rate for a
homeowner's insurance policy of the insured.
(b) Construction.--Subsection (a) shall not be construed to
prohibit an insurer from refusing to issue or renew a
homeowner's insurance policy, canceling a homeowner's insurance
policy or charging or imposing an increased premium or rate for
a homeowner's insurance policy based upon the insured's
harboring or owning of a dog of any breed or mixture of breeds
that has been determined to be a dangerous dog in accordance
with section 502-A.
(c) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following
words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this
subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Homeowner's insurance policy." A policy, contract or plan
of casualty insurance that provides property and liability
coverage to an insured.
"Insurer." A person licensed by the Insurance Department to
provide a homeowner's insurance policy within this Commonwealth
in accordance with the act of May 17, 1921 (P.L.682, No.284),
known as The Insurance Company Law of 1921.
Section 2. The addition of section 101-A of the act shall
apply to homeowner's insurance policies issued, renewed or
modified on or after the effective date of this section.
Section 3. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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