ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Sept. 5, 2024) – Today the Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal protection, released its 2024 Maryland Humane Scorecard. The scorecard grades state legislators’ actions on animal welfare legislation introduced during the 2024 session. This year’s scorecard includes a notable victory that will prohibit travelling acts, like circuses and fairs, from using bears, big cats, elephants and non-human primates in the state. The scorecard also shows an overall lack of progress on critical animal issues during the 2024 session.
“This legislative session started with tremendous promise for animals. Over the last few years, the legislature has consistently passed robust animal protection reforms that made Maryland a more humane state for animals and citizens,” said Jennifer Bevan-Dangel, Maryland state director for the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “We are very disappointed to see that progress slowed nearly to a stop this year with critical reforms that would not only help animals but also the people in our state who love them.”
The following bills were signed into law and scored in the 2024 Maryland Humane Scorecard:
- Traveling Acts (SB 547/HB 379): A ✓ indicates a vote for SB 547/HB 379, which will prohibit travelling animal acts from using bears, big cats, elephants, and non-human primates. Humane circuses are not just cruelty free, they are safer for the humans working at and watching the performances – while still delivering quality entertainment. Sen. Sarah Elfreth (D) and Del. Sara Love (D) sponsored this legislation.
- Endangered Species Protections (SB 916/HB 345): A ✓ indicates a vote for SB 916/HB 345, which will codify best practices for protecting species identified as endangered by the state, such as the Short-eared owl, Northern Long-eared bat and Leatherback Sea turtle. Sen. Benjamin Brooks (D) and Del. Julie Palakovich Carr (D) sponsored this legislation.
HSLF only scores bills that receive roll-call votes to accurately reflect legislators’ actions.
Additional pro-animal bills were introduced this session but did not pass into law. One of these stalled pieces of legislation would have been a consequential action for Maryland’s farmed animals (SB 193/HB357). Sponsored by Sen. Karen Lewis Young (D) and Del. Jen Terrasa (D), the bill would ban the confinement of egg-laying hens in battery cages for both production and sale of eggs in Maryland. would ban the confinement of egg-laying hens in battery cages for both production and sale of eggs in Maryland.
Bevan-Dangel adds, “Battery cages are so constrictive that hens housed in them cannot even spread their wings. Yet, the legislature did not act against this barbaric practice. Since neither chamber conducted a full floor vote, the package is not included in our scorecard. For us, passing a cage-free law in Maryland remains a top priority and we will continue supporting this important legislation to address cruelty in food systems.”
Three bills passed the Senate but failed to advance in the House. One of these (SB 1055/HB 1030) would have restricted the private ownership of large numbers of roosters to crack down on cockfighting. Another bill (SB 17/HB 667) would have clarified that if an individual is accused of harming multiple animals, charges can be brought for each animal harmed. Lastly, a bill to develop wildlife crossing across highways (SB 902/HB 1129) also did not advance in the House. These bills not only have broad public support but had the Senate's support, and HSLF urges the House to tackle these critical issues in 2025.
As the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal protection, HSLF has published a Congressional Humane Scorecard since 2006 to track the relevant votes, co-sponsorships, and other actions of federal lawmakers. This resource effectively records which members of Congress are animal champions and which need more political pressure to denounce cruelty. Now, the organization is increasing its release of state-level scorecards, to build on the progress made in animal protection at the state level and hold members of the state legislature accountable to animal advocates.
Maryland voters are encouraged to use this scorecard to make humane choices at the ballot box in future elections.
Media Contact:
Emily Ehrhorn | eehrhorn@hslf.org
