Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Pets And Housing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Advocates press D.C. to close insurance loophole so Roscoe's Law can take effect
Summary
Supporters told the Committee on Housing that insurance industry practices are blocking parts of last year's pet‑friendly law; the 2025 amendment would prevent insurers from upcharging or denying coverage based on perceived dog breeds so fee caps and other protections can take effect.
Supporters of Roscoe's Law and the Pets and Housing Amendment Act of 2025 urged the committee to pass technical fixes that would permit the 2024 law's non‑funded provisions — caps on pet deposits and bans on breed‑based rental restrictions — to take effect without waiting for appropriations.
Max Broad (DC Voters for Animals) and Bianca Flores (Humane Rescue Alliance) described families forced to relinquish pets because insurance underwriters or landlords implemented breed‑based restrictions or high pet rents. "This bill shifts the focus to sound principles such as documented behavioral history rather than stereotypes," Flores said.
Multiple national and local animal‑welfare groups (ASPCA, Animal Policy Group, Humane World for Animals) asked the committee to extend insurance protections to renters and multifamily providers, saying limiting the bill to homeowners would leave renters unprotected. Katalin Peter of the Apartment and Office Building Association sought a clear prospective effective date so housing providers can secure coverage and avoid retroactive exposure.
Chair White acknowledged the renters insurance gap and said he planned to revise the language before markup to address those concerns. The committee received a broad record from shelters, rescue volunteers, and policy groups urging passage.
