HB 1521: Handling of Animals
GENERAL BILL by Weinberger ; (CO-INTRODUCERS) Gossett-Seidman ; Long
Handling of Animals; Requires DACS to develop best management practices for dog breeding & to investigate certain claims; requires Board of Veterinary Medicine to verify that rules for such practices meet certain goals; preempts regulatory & operational oversight of local animal shelters to DACS; revises requirements for pet dealers & retail stores; removes certain limit on veterinary costs; provides that violations are unfair method of competition or unfair or deceptive act or practice & subject to penalties; provides for private causes of action; requires dog breeders to apply to DBPR for certificate of registration; authorizes DBPR to establish whistleblower program; provides penalties; requires certain individuals, dog breeders, & dog breeding facilities to be placed on public animal abuser database; provides requirements for best management practices; requires DACS to use requirements to develop rules.
Last Action: 1/15/2026 House - Now in Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee
Bill Text: PDF
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Bill History
Date Chamber Action 1/9/2026 House • Filed
1/13/2026 House • 1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
1/15/2026 House • Referred to Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee
• Referred to Budget Committee
• Referred to Commerce Committee
• Now in Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee
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HB 1521, Original Filed Version (Current Bill Version) Posted 1/9/2026 at 6:34 PM
Bill Text: PDF Analyses: None Related Bills (2)
Bill Number Subject Filed By Relationship Last Action and Location Track Bills S 1356 Handling of Animals Garcia Similar Last Action: 1/22/2026 S Introduced 
S 1004 Sale of Dogs and Cats Gaetz Compare Last Action: 1/21/2026 S Now in Judiciary
Citations - Statutes (4)
Citation Catchline Location in Bill Location In Bill Help 585.701 Page 3 (pdf) 828.265 Page 5 (pdf) 828.29 Dogs and cats transported or offered for sale; health requirements; consumer guarantee. Page 7 (pdf) 828.291 Page 13 (pdf)