The Care Homes and Sheltered Accommodation (Domestic Pets) Bill has reached its second reading in the House of Commons. The bill if passed would oblige operators of care homes and sheltered accommodation, subject to certain exceptions, to grant permission to a resident to keep a pet.

A Bill is a proposed new law, or a change to an existing law, presented for debate before Parliament. A Bill must be approved by both the House of Commons and the House of Lord before becoming an Act (law).

A guide to the passage of a bill through parliament
http://www.parliament.uk/about/how/laws/passage_bill/index.htm

The Care Homes and Sheltered Accommodation (Domestic Pets) Bill
http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2009-10/carehomesandshelteredaccommodationdomesticpets/stages.html

The Hansard record of the parliamentary debate on the bill
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200910/cmhansrd/cm100305/debtext/100305-0009.htm#10030528000003