Farm Animal Confinement Bans by State

On factory farms, laying hens, pregnant pigs (sows) and veal calves are routinely confined in cages and crates so small that they cannot lie down, turn around or extend their limbs. In recent years, some states have taken steps to protect farm animals by passing laws that ban the use of battery cages for laying hens, gestation crates for sows and veal crates for calves. To date, 15 states have banned one or all of these forms of extreme confinement, and a number of others are currently debating similar laws.

Arizona – Passed a ballot measure in 2006 phasing out gestation crates and veal crates by 2012. Passed regulations in 2022 phasing out battery cages and banning the in-state sale of products from battery cage systems by 2025.

California – Passed a ballot measure in 2008 phasing out battery cages, gestation crates and veal crates by 2015. In 2010 California went further, passing legislation banning the in-state sale of eggs that come from hens housed in battery cages by 2015. In 2018 California passed Proposition 12 by a ballot measure, strengthening its cage and crate-free standards and expanding the in-state sales ban to include pork and veal products. After a legal challenge brought by the National Pork Producers Council, the Supreme Court upheld Proposition 12 as constitutional in 2023. The in-state veal crate and veal sales ban has been in effect since 2020, and the in-state battery cage and gestation crate ban as well as the sales-ban for eggs and pork products went into effect in 2022.

Colorado – Passed legislation [PDF] in 2008 phasing out gestation crates by 2018 and veal crates by 2012. Passed legislation in 2020 phasing out battery cages by 2025 as well as banning the in-state sale of products from battery cage systems by 2023.

Florida – Passed a ballot measure in 2002 phasing out gestation crates by 2008.

Kentucky – Passed regulations [PDF] in 2014 phasing out veal crates by 2018.

Maine – Passed legislation in 2009 phasing out gestation crates and veal crates by 2011.

Massachusetts – Passed a ballot measure [PDF] in 2016 banning the use of battery cages, gestation crates and veal crates as well as banning the in-state sale of products from any of these confinement systems by 2022. Passed legislation in 2021 updating the battery cage ban to include specific space requirements and a sales ban on egg products, in addition to shell eggs, and extending the gestation crate ban phase-in to take effect August 15, 2022. Massachusett's phase-in deadline was paused while the Supreme Court considered the Proposition 12 case, ultimately delaying the sales ban from coming into effect until 2023.

Michigan – Passed legislation in 2009 phasing out battery cages by 2019, gestation crates by 2019 and veal crates by 2012. Passed legislation in 2019 extending the battery cage and gestation crate phase out timeline to 2025 and 2020 respectively, and banning the in-state sale of products from battery cage systems by 2025.

Nevada – Passed legislation in 2021 phasing out battery cages by 2024 and banning the in-state sale of products from battery cage systems by July 2022.

New Jersey – Passed legislation in 2023 banning the use of gestation crates and veal crates. The bill requires the NJ Department of Agriculture to publish a rule for enforcement of the law within 180 days.

Ohio – Passed regulations in 2010 phasing out gestation crates by 2026, and veal crates by 2018.

Oregon – Passed legislation in 2007 phasing out gestation crates by 2012. Passed legislation in 2019 phasing out battery cages and banning the in-state sale of products from battery cage systems by 2024.

Rhode Island – Passed legislation in 2012 phasing out gestation crates and veal crates by 2013. Passed legislation [PDF] in 2018 phasing out battery cages by 2026.

Utah – Passed legislation in 2021 phasing out battery cages by 2025.

Washington – Passed legislation in 2011 phasing out battery cages by 2024. Passed legislation [PDF] in 2019 banning the in-state sale of products from battery cage systems by 2024.

Join the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade  to stay up to date on ways you can help! You can also look up your governor and state legislators and contact them to ask that they vote in favor of these important laws to protect farm animals.