PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Rhode Island landlords would no longer be able to require their tenants to declaw their cats under legislation pending in the state’s General Assembly.

Senate Majority Leader Dominick Ruggerio announced his proposal Thursday. Ruggerio’s proposal would also prohibit landlords from demanding that their tenants remove the vocal cords of dogs as a condition of occupancy.

The North Providence Democrats says landlords shouldn’t be allowed to demand that tenants subject their pets to what he calls inhumane acts.

The proposal is similar to a law in California, which was the first state to make it illegal for landlords to demand tenants to declaw a cat.

Under Ruggerio’s proposal tenants could still decline to rent to tenants with pets.

The bill has not been scheduled for a hearing or vote.