LANSING, Mich., Feb. 24, 2026 — Today, state Rep. Penelope Tsernoglou (D-East Lansing) announced the reintroduction of her legislation that prohibits insurance providers from inquiring about the breed of a dog that resides in an insured or potentially insured property. House Bill 5580 was filed last week and read into the record today.
This legislation would protect consumers against potential discrimination towards dogs because of their pedigree or assumed pedigree based on physical appearance. Currently, many residential property insurance providers ask potential customers what breed of dog they have. If they have the “wrong” breed according to the insurance company, they can be denied coverage or offered higher prices solely based on their dog’s breed.
“Despite overwhelming evidence that proper socialization and training is the best way to prevent ‘aggressive’ dogs, many still falsely believe that only a select number of breeds are ‘aggressive’,” Tsernoglou said. “Proper training, responsible ownership and providing a loving home for a dog are the best ways to ensure that a dog is well behaved. Breed certainly plays a role in a dog’s temperament, but it does not mean that all dogs of a certain breed will have behavioral issues.”
Currently, households and residential landlords that seek to secure or retain residential property, renters and/or commercial liability insurance may be charged premiums or only provided coverage that does not include liability protection if a dog injures someone or destroys property, simply because of the breed of a dog.
“Dogs are valued members of our families, and policies like these negatively impact renters, landlords and homeowners. There is no reason that insurance companies should have a say in what type of dog a person can have in their home,” Tsernoglou continued.
This bill is a reintroduction of House Bill 6012 from last term.
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