VirginiaMammalian wildlife; premature separation and hybridization prohibited, exceptions.
What it does
Department of Wildlife Resources; premature separation and hybridization of mammalian wildlife prohibited; exceptions. Makes it unlawful to prematurely separate any mammalian wildlife offspring born in captivity from the mother prior to the offspring turning four months of age, except that wildlife offspring may be prematurely separated if a medical necessity exists pursuant to a written order from a veterinarian with appropriate species-specific experience and expertise licensed to practice in the Commonwealth. The bill excludes the following from its provisions: (i) agricultural animals; (ii) noncommercial transfers or trades between accredited zoological facilities; (iii) an accredited zoological facility, as defined in the bill, that retains the mammalian wildlife offspring separated by such zoological facility; (iv) the Department of Wildlife Resources, a person operating under a wildlife rehabilitator, scientific collection, or endangered and threatened species permit approved by the Department, or a person operating under a species recovery plan approved by the Department; (v) the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; or (vi) any person rendering emergency neonatal aide, including the temporary separation of up to 72 hours until a licensed veterinarian can be engaged for assessment and treatment.
More detail
The bill also makes it unlawful to intentionally and for commercial purposes propagate mammalian wildlife of different species, also known as hybridization. This bill is identical to HB 112.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 13Governor's recommendation received by SenateLatest
- Mar 10Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026To Governor
- Mar 10Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026Minor
- Mar 5Signed by PresidentMajor
- Mar 5Signed by SpeakerMajor
- Mar 5Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB344)
- Mar 5Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB344ER)Major
- Mar 5EnrolledMinor
- Mar 2Passed House (74-Y 25-N 0-A)Passed House
- Vote recorded H VOTE:. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 2Read third timeMinor
- Feb 27Read second timeMinor
- Feb 25Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources (19-Y 3-N)Minor
- Vote recorded Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 12Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural ResourcesMinor
- Feb 12Read first timeMinor
- Feb 12Placed on Calendar
- Feb 11Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB344)
- Feb 9Read third time and passed Senate (26-Y 14-N 0-A)Passed Senate
- Vote recorded Passage R. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 6Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute (Voice Vote)Major
- Feb 6Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Substitute agreed to
- Feb 6Read second timeMinor
- Feb 5Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)
- Vote recorded Constitutional reading dispensed R. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 5Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
- Feb 5Rules suspended
- Feb 4Committee substitute printed 26107014D-S1Major
- Feb 3Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources with substitute (10-Y 3-N)Minor
- Vote recorded Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources with substitute. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 3Senate committee offered
- Jan 27Senate committee offered
- Jan 13Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural ResourcesMinor
- Jan 13Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26104692DIntroduced