Illinois legislation · 104th General Assembly
Illinois HB4540: POSSESSION DISPUTES-PETS
Status: Signed into law, July 24, 2026
Creates the Companion Animal Custody Equity Act. Provides that in a possession dispute involving a companion animal, a court may consider the well-being of the companion animal regardless of the marital status of the parties. "Companion animal" means a domesticated dog or cat that resides in a household. Authorizes the court to issue temporary possession or caregiving orders, including limited visitation, if necessary to reduce stress or disruption to the companion animal. Provides that for companion animals 10 years of age or older, courts may give additional consideration to factors including continuity of environment, emotional stability, stress minimization, and maintenance of established routines. Provides that a court may, if appropriate, order mediation between the parties to resolve issues related to companion animal possession.
What the bill says
A bill FOR 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026HB4540Introduced 1/30/2026, by Rep. Barbara HernandezSYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: New Act New Act New Act Creates the Companion Animal Custody Equity Act. Provides that in apossession dispute involving a companion animal, a court may consider thewell-being of the companion animal regardless of the marital status of theparties. "Companion animal" means a domesticated dog or cat that residesin a household…
From the introduced text, January 22, 2026:
A BILL FOR 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026HB4540Introduced 1/30/2026, by Rep. Barbara HernandezSYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: New Act New Act New Act Creates the Companion Animal Custody Equity Act. Provides that in apossession dispute involving a companion animal, a court may consider thewell-being of the companion animal regardless of the marital status of theparties. "Companion animal" means a domesticated dog or cat that residesin a household. Authorizes the court to issue temporary possession orcaregiving orders, including limited visitation, if necessary to reducestress or disruption to the companion animal. Provides that for companionanimals 10 years of age or older, courts may give additional considerationto factors including continuity of environment, emotional stability,stress minimization, and maintenance of established routines. Providesthat a court may, if appropriate, order mediation between the parties toresolve issues related to companion animal possession. LRB104 17489 JRC 30915 b LRB104 17489 JRC 30915 b LRB104 17489 JRC 30915 b A BILL FOR HB4540LRB104 17489 JRC 30915 b HB4540 LRB104 17489 JRC 30915 b HB4540 LRB104 17489 JRC 30915 b AN ACT concerning companion animals. Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly: Section 1.Short title.This Act may be cited as the Companion Animal Custody Equity Act. Section 5.Legislative purpose.The General Assembly finds that: (1) Companion animals often occupy a …
Sponsors
- Barbara Hernandez (D, 50) · primary sponsor
- Dagmara Avelar (D, 85)
- Justin Cochran (D, 55)
- Edgar González (D, 23)
- Aarón M. Ortíz (D, 1)
- Anne Stava-Murray (D, 81)
- Norma Hernandez (D, 77)
- Linda Holmes (D, 42)
- Sara Feigenholtz (D, 6)
Latest actions
- : Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0613
- : Effective Date January 1, 2027
- : Governor Approved
- : Sent to the Governor
- : Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Sara Feigenholtz
- : Passed Both Houses
- : Third Reading - Passed; 052-007-000
- : Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading May 18, 2026
- : Second Reading
- : Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading May 7, 2026
Votes
- Third Reading - Passed (May 19, 2026): 52 yea, 7 nay, passed
- Do Pass Judiciary (May 6, 2026): 8 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed (April 14, 2026): 72 yea, 38 nay, passed
- House Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommends Be Adopted Judiciary - Civil Committee (April 8, 2026): 13 yea, 7 nay, passed
- Do Pass / Short Debate Judiciary - Civil Committee (March 25, 2026): 13 yea, 7 nay, passed
Subjects: ILCS 735 - Civil Procedure, New Act
Common questions
- What is HB4540?
- HB4540 is a bill in the Illinois Legislature (104th General Assembly): POSSESSION DISPUTES-PETS.
- What does HB4540 do?
- In its own words: A bill FOR 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026HB4540Introduced 1/30/2026, by Rep. Barbara HernandezSYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: New Act New Act New Act Creates the Companion Animal Custody Equity Act. Provides that in apossession dispute involving a companion animal, a court may consider thewell-being of the companion animal regardless of the marital status of theparties. "Companion animal" means a domesticated dog or cat that residesin a household…
- What is the status of HB4540?
- Signed into law as of July 24, 2026. Latest action: Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0613 (July 24, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB4540?
- Barbara Hernandez (D, 50), with 8 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB4540?
- On the Illinois Legislature website: https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/BillStatus?DocNum=4540&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=114
Source: official Illinois record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.