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<xml>
<title>Illinois General Assembly - Bill Status for HB 4255</title>
<shortdesc>CRIM CD-TRAVELING ANIMAL ACTS</shortdesc>
<sponsor>
<sponsorhead1>House Sponsors</sponsorhead1><sponsors>Rep. Kelly M. Cassidy, Diane Blair-Sherlock, Michelle Mussman, Joyce Mason, Kimberly Du Buclet, Margaret Croke, Dagmara Avelar, Barbara Hernandez, Laura Faver Dias and Lindsey LaPointe</sponsors>
</sponsor>
<committeehearing>Judiciary - Criminal Committee Hearing Apr  7 2026  4:00PM Stratton Building Room D-1 Springfield, IL  - House Floor Amendment 1</committeehearing>
<lastaction>
<statusdate>3/19/2026</statusdate><chamber>House</chamber><action>Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate</action>
</lastaction>
<synopsis>
<synopsistitle></synopsistitle>
<reference>720 ILCS 5/48-11</reference><aliasreference></aliasreference><SynopsisText>     Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that the statute prohibiting elephants from performing in traveling animal acts applies to "covered animals" rather than just elephants. Defines "covered animal" as any of the following animals, and hybrids of those animals: (1) elephantidae; (2) felidae, but excluding a domestic cat; (3) non-human primate; or (4) ursidae. Provides that the provisions of the amendatory Act are in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other laws protecting animal welfare. Provides that the provisions may not be construed to limit any State law or rules protecting the welfare of animals or to prevent a unit of local government from adopting and enforcing its own animal welfare ordinances and regulations. Contains a severability provision. Effective July 1, 2026.</SynopsisText></synopsis>
<actions>
<statusdate>12/19/2025</statusdate><chamber>House</chamber><action>Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Kelly M. Cassidy</action>
<statusdate>1/14/2026</statusdate><chamber>House</chamber><action>First Reading</action>
<statusdate>1/14/2026</statusdate><chamber>House</chamber><action>Referred to Rules Committee</action>
<statusdate>1/16/2026</statusdate><chamber>House</chamber><action>Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Diane Blair-Sherlock</action>
<statusdate>1/16/2026</statusdate><chamber>House</chamber><action>Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Michelle Mussman</action>
<statusdate>1/16/2026</statusdate><chamber>House</chamber><action>Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Joyce Mason</action>
<statusdate>1/16/2026</statusdate><chamber>House</chamber><action>Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Kimberly Du Buclet</action>
<statusdate>1/27/2026</statusdate><chamber>House</chamber><action>Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Margaret Croke</action>
<statusdate>1/27/2026</statusdate><chamber>House</chamber><action>Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Dagmara Avelar</action>
<statusdate>3/12/2026</statusdate><chamber>House</chamber><action>Assigned to Judiciary - Criminal Committee</action>
<statusdate>3/13/2026</statusdate><chamber>House</chamber><action>Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Barbara Hernandez</action>
<statusdate>3/18/2026</statusdate><chamber>House</chamber><action>Do Pass / Short Debate Judiciary - Criminal Committee;  008-005-000</action>
<statusdate>3/19/2026</statusdate><chamber>House</chamber><action>Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate</action>
<statusdate>3/19/2026</statusdate><chamber>House</chamber><action>House Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Kelly M. Cassidy</action>
<statusdate>3/19/2026</statusdate><chamber>House</chamber><action>House Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee</action>
<statusdate>3/20/2026</statusdate><chamber>House</chamber><action>House Floor Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Judiciary - Criminal Committee</action>
<statusdate>3/20/2026</statusdate><chamber>House</chamber><action>Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Laura Faver Dias</action>
<statusdate>4/2/2026</statusdate><chamber>House</chamber><action>Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Lindsey LaPointe</action>
</actions>
</xml>
