summary
Introduced
01/09/2026
01/09/2026
In Committee
02/25/2026
02/25/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
03/13/2026
03/13/2026
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An act relating to domestic animals; amending s. 828.12, F.S.; requiring the Department of Law Enforcement to post on its website specified information relating to each individual convicted of specified animal cruelty offenses; requiring the clerk of each court and county detention facility to provide the Department of Law Enforcement with such information; amending s. 828.29, F.S.; extending the timeframe for which a consumer may pursue remedies for the sale of an animal certifiably unfit for purchase; revising such remedies; requiring that all financing terms be disclosed to the consumer by the pet dealer before the sale of the animal; deleting certain provisions relating to a consumer's waiver relinquishing his or her rights to return an animal; requiring a pet dealer to provide copies of specified medical records to a consumer; denying a consumer the right to a refund or an exchange for a pet sale under certain circumstances; extending the timeframe within which a consumer must notify the pet dealer of a veterinarian's determination that the animal is unfit; authorizing the consumer to initiate an action in certain courts for any contestation of veterinary expenses or demands of the pet dealer for a refund or CS/ exchange; providing for the award of punitive damages; revising requirements for a required notice to a consumer; revising the text of the required notice; revising the definition of the term "pet dealer"; requiring a pet dealer to retain a copy of a specified notice for a specified period; providing that violations constitute an unfair method of competition or an unfair or deceptive act or practice in violation of specified provisions and subject to penalties; creating s. 828.291, F.S.; providing a legislative purpose; providing construction; requiring the Department of Business and Professional Regulation to develop a list of best management practices for adoption and implementation; specifying requirements for such best management practices; requiring the department to post guidance on its website related to the selection of breeders and the purchase of an animal; requiring the department to post information on its website relating to animal cruelty; providing requirements for such information; providing an effective date.
AI Summary
This bill strengthens animal cruelty laws and consumer protections for pet purchases. It requires the Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to maintain a public online registry of individuals convicted of animal cruelty offenses, including their names, dates of birth, and details of their convictions, with clerks of court and detention facilities obligated to provide this information to the FDLE. For pet sales, the bill extends the timeframe for consumers to seek remedies for unfit animals to 30 days for illness/disease and one year for congenital/hereditary disorders or misrepresentations, and expands the available remedies to include full refunds with interest and sales tax, reimbursement for veterinary costs related to the unfitness, and termination of financing agreements without penalty. Pet dealers must now disclose all financing terms before a sale, provide consumers with copies of all prior medical records for the animal, and retain these records for seven years. The bill also clarifies that a consumer cannot waive their rights to a refund or exchange for identified congenital or hereditary disorders if they sign a notification acknowledging the animal has been examined and found to have that disorder. Furthermore, it allows consumers to initiate legal action for veterinary expense disputes or refund/exchange demands, with the possibility of punitive damages, and revises the definition of a "pet dealer" to include those selling more than three litters or 30 animals annually. Finally, the bill mandates the Department of Business and Professional Regulation to develop and post voluntary best management practices for dog breeders, provide guidance on selecting breeders, and share information on animal cruelty reporting.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Business and Industry
Sponsors (9)
Meg Weinberger (R)*,
Nathan Boyles (R),
Linda Chaney (R),
Kimberly Daniels (D),
Anne Gerwig (R),
Peggy Gossett-Seidman (R),
Rob Long (D),
Johanna López (D),
Susan L. Valdés (R),
Other Sponsors (3)
Commerce Committee (House), House Budget Committee (House), Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee (House)
Last Action
Laid on Table, refer to CS/SB 1004 (on 03/09/2026)
Official Document
bill text
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