The Humane Society of the United States urges Maryland lawmakers to pass legislation that would ban the use of sow gestation stalls.
Sen. Gwendolyn Britt (D-MD) introduced SB 821 in mid-February. The bill would phase out the use of gestation crates over the next four years.
The legislation requires that pregnant sows be given enough room to lie down, turn around and extend their limbs.
Last fall, Arizona voters passed a ballot initiative phasing out gestation crates, effective 2013. Florida passed a constitutional amendment banning gestation crates in 2002.