Update April 1: Maryland bill, S.B. 505, that would have prohibited pet stores from selling dogs under 9 months of age, failed to pass the Finance Committee and is dead for this session. 

Original report: A bill is pending in the Maryland legislature, S.B. 505, that would prohibit pet stores from selling dogs under 9 months of age. The definition of "retail pet store" is broad and would include any place that sells dogs for a profit.

Violators would face fines of up to $500 for the first offense and $1,000 for each subsequent offense.

The bill, if it becomes law, would cut off a means for puppy millers to sell puppies to the public. It is estimated nearly 90% of dogs sold in pet stores are from puppy mills. 

Just recently West Hollywood, California banned retail pet store sales of dogs and cats. Lake Tahoe, California enacted a similar ban in 2008.  

Maryland state Sen. Lisa A. Gladden and Sen. George W. Della, Jr. are sponsors of the bill.