HB 1438 (2026): enabling mental health caseworkers to report instances of animal abuse by their clients.
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- MLA
- “HB 1438 (2026): enabling mental health caseworkers to report instances of animal abuse by their clients.” Granite Record, https://graniterecord.org/bill/2026/hb1438. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.
- APA
- Granite Record. (n.d.). HB 1438 (2026): enabling mental health caseworkers to report instances of animal abuse by their clients. Retrieved 19 Oct. 2026, from https://graniterecord.org/bill/2026/hb1438
- Chicago
- Granite Record. “HB 1438 (2026): enabling mental health caseworkers to report instances of animal abuse by their clients.” Accessed 19 Oct. 2026. https://graniterecord.org/bill/2026/hb1438.
- BibTeX
@misc{bill-2026-hb1438, title = {HB 1438 (2026): enabling mental health caseworkers to report instances of animal abuse by their clients.}, howpublished = {Granite Record}, url = {https://graniterecord.org/bill/2026/hb1438}, note = {Accessed 19 Oct. 2026} }
HB 1438 (2026)
enabling mental health caseworkers to report instances of animal abuse by their clients.
- Status: Referred for interim study
- Term: 2025-2026
- House committee: Executive Departments and Administration
- Senate committee: Judiciary
- Subject: Animals
The Story
It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the House Executive Departments and Administration committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 21, 2026, with 148 people signed in online: 148 in support. The committee met in executive session on March 3, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted 15–1 to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1024h), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-1024h) was adopted on a voice vote on March 11, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On March 11, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. It crossed to the Senate on March 12, 2026 and was referred to the Senate Judiciary committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 9, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate study it after the session ends, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On April 23, 2026 the Senate adopted “Refer to Interim Study” on a voice vote.
Sponsors
- Rep. Ellen Read (D - Rock 10) (prime sponsor)
- Rep. Efstathia Booras (D - Hills 8)
- Rep. Diane Kelley (R - Hills 32)
- Rep. Christal Lloyd (D - Hills 8)
- Rep. Jonah Wheeler (D - Hills 33)
Hearings and Sessions
- January 21, 2026, 1:00 PM: public hearing, House Executive Departments and Administration, GP 231
- March 3, 2026, 1:00 PM: executive session, House Executive Departments and Administration, GP 159
- March 11, 2026: consent calendar, House
- April 9, 2026, 1:40 PM: hearing, Senate Judiciary, SH 100
- April 23, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
Votes
- March 11, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-1024h — voice vote, passed
- April 23, 2026, Senate: Refer to Interim Study — voice vote, passed
The Docket
- January 7, 2026: Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Executive Departments and Administration
- January 21, 2026: Public Hearing: 01/21/2026 01:00 pm GP 231
- March 3, 2026: Executive Session: 03/03/2026 01:00 pm GP 159
- March 3, 2026: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1024h (NT) 03/03/2026 (Vote 15-1; CC)
- March 11, 2026: Amendment # 2026-1024h: AA VV 03/11/2026
- March 11, 2026: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-1024h: MA VV 03/11/2026
- March 12, 2026: Introduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Judiciary
- April 9, 2026: Hearing: 04/09/2026, Room 100, SH, 01:40 pm
- April 23, 2026: Committee Report: Referred to Interim Study, 04/23/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 15A
- April 23, 2026: Refer to Interim Study, MA, VV; 04/23/2026