Updates from the 2022 Legislative Session
As the 2022 Legislative Session and Legislative Action Days commence, we’re providing resources for our members to understand how bills progress through the legislative process, along with resources on how to get involved in key issues concerning veterinary medicine.
The Florida State Senate and House convened to begin the 2022 Legislative Session January 11, which ends March 14, and thus our FVMA legislative team is back in the Capitol to fight on behalf of members and the veterinary medical profession. Members can find our resources for getting in touch with legislators during LAD 2022 by clicking here.
Among the bills discussed in the session’s second week (January 17-21) were a number relating to our industry and to animals, including:
HB 723/SB 448 – Veterinary Telemedicine
- The bill allows the VCPR to be established via telehealth as long as the veterinary is following the professional standards of care.
- The bill would not allow controlled substances to be prescribed via Telehealth unless the veterinarian has already performed an in-person exam, with an exemption for hospice care.
- The Board has jurisdiction over veterinarians practicing telehealth in the state, regardless of where their offices are located.
- Allows animal control employees to administer rabies vaccines to impounded animals under the indirect supervision of a veterinarian.
SB 448 is temporarily postponed by the Regulated Industries Committee, and HB 723 is on the agenda for the Commerce Committee.
HB 25 / SB 226 – Care for Retired Law Enforcement Dogs
The bill establishes a program to pay for the veterinary care of retired service dogs. As of this writing, HB 25 has been voted favorable with CS by the Criminal Justice &Public Safety Subcommittee with 14 yeas and no nays. SB 226 is in the Appropriations Committee.
HB 121 – Aggravated Animal Cruelty
The bill expands the crime of aggravated animal cruelty to include:
- The unlawful killing of an animal in the custody of a family member.
- Intentionally causing great bodily harm or death of an animal while in the commission of specified crimes.
As of this writing, the bill has been referred to the Criminal Justice & Public Safety Subcommittee, Justice Appropriations Subcommittee and Judiciary Committee.
HB 121 – Aggravated Animal Cruelty
The bill expands the crime of aggravated animal cruelty to include:
- The unlawful killing of an animal in the custody of a family member.
- Intentionally causing great bodily harm or death of an animal while in the commission of specified crimes.
As of this writing, the bill has been referred to the Criminal Justice & Public Safety Subcommittee, Justice Appropriations Subcommittee and Judiciary Committee.
SB 256 – Animal Cruelty
The bill expands the grounds for a criminal penalty for depriving an animal of shelter or sustenance by removing the requirement that such shelter or sustenance be withheld unnecessarily. As of this writing, the bill has been referred to the Judiciary, Agriculture and Rules committees.
SB 172 – Courtroom Animal Advocates
The bill would allow the court to appoint an advocate for an animal in a case regarding the welfare, care or custody of an animal. The advocate shall monitor the case, have access to relevant files, and present information and recommendations to the court. As of this writing, the bill has been referred to the Judiciary, Agriculture and Rules committees.
HB 253 – Retail Sale of Domestic Dogs and Cats
The bill creates a noncriminal violation for selling a domestic dog or cat in a pet store. The bill creates an exception to the prohibition for individuals who breed and sell animals directly to the public. As of this writing, this bill has been referred to the to Regulatory Reform Subcommittee, Civil Justice & Property Rights Subcommittee and Commerce Committee.
SB 416 / HB 833 – Animal Cremation
The bill requires a provider of animal cremation to provide a written description of their services and prohibits false or misleading descriptions of services. As of the time of this writing, the Senate bill is currently in the Judiciary Committee. The House bill has been referred to the Regulatory Reform Subcommittee, Civil Justice & Property Rights Subcommittee and Commerce Committee.
SB 420 – Animal Abuse
The bill increases the penalties for animal abuse, sexual crimes involving animals, and fighting and baiting animals from misdemeanors to felonies. As of the time of this writing, the bill has been referred to the Judiciary, Criminal Justice and Rules committees.
HB 435 – Animal Abuse
The bill establishes a third-degree felony for allowing a minor to attend the fighting or baiting of animals. The bill also changes the definition of sexual contact with an animal to be more detailed and broad. The bill is now in the Justice Appropriations Subcommittee.
SB 614 / HB 721 – Authorization of Restrictions Concerning Dangerous Dogs
The bill would allow a Housing Authority created under the Public Housing law to adopt an ordinance to restrict the ownership of domestic animals who have attacked or bitten persons. As of the time of this writing, the Senate bill is on the agenda for the Community Affairs Committee. SB 614 is on the agenda for the Community Affairs Committee. HB 721 is in the Regulatory Reform Subcommittee.
SB 994 / HB 849 – Pet Protection
The bill requires pet stores to obtain a newly created license from DBPR to operate as retail pet stores. Retail pet stores would not be allowed to offer for sale or giveaway any household pet unless it was acquired from one of the following:
- A qualified breeder
- A breeder exempt from licensure by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture
- An animal rescue
- An animal shelter
- A pet broker
The retail pet store cannot sell or give away a pet younger than 8 weeks, one who has not been implanted with a microchip, or who does not have a valid veterinary certification.
The Senate bill is now in the Community Affairs Committee. The House bill has been referred to the Regulatory Reform Subcommittee, State Administration & Technology Appropriations Subcommittee and Commerce Committee.
HB 1061 / SB 1750 – Sale of Dogs and Cats
The bill states that consumers who finance the purchase of a pet are entitled to terminate the financial arrangement with no penalty to the consumer if the pet is found to have been unfit for sale by a veterinarian. The House bill has been referred to the Regulatory Reform Subcommittee, Civil Justice & Property Rights Subcommittee, and Commerce Committee. The Senate bill has been referred to the Commerce and Tourism, Regulated Industries and Rules committees.
HB 1075 / SB 1508 – Tethering of Domestic Dogs and Cats
The bill makes it illegal to tether an unattended domestic cat or dog. The House bill has been referred to the Civil Justice & Property Rights Subcommittee and the Judiciary Committee. The Senate bill has been referred to the Community Affairs, Agriculture and Rules committees.
HB 1279 / SB 1718 – Cosmetic Animal Testing
The bill bans cosmetic testing on animals, with certain exceptions. The House bill has been referred to the Regulatory Reform Subcommittee, Professions & Public Health Subcommittee and Commerce Committee. The Senate bill has been referred to the to Judiciary Committee, Appropriations Subcommittee on Criminal and Civil Justice and Appropriations Committee. The Senate bill is on the agenda for the Commerce and Tourism Committee.
HB 1341 / SB 1806 – Animal Abusers
The bill creates a statewide Animal Abuser Registry. This bill will place restrictions on a convicted animal abuser to own, adopt, live with or work with animals. The House bill has been referred to the Criminal Justice & Public Safety Subcommittee, Justice Appropriations Subcommittee and Judiciary Committee. The Senate bill has been referred to the to Judiciary Committee, Appropriations Subcommittee on Criminal and Civil Justice and Appropriations Committee.
SB 1548 – Occupational Licensing
The bill would prohibit a board from inquiring into the criminal history of an applicant until after the board determines whether the applicant is qualified for a license. The conviction of a crime may not be the grounds for the denial of a license. The bill has been referred to the Regulated Industries, Criminal Justice and Rules committees.
SB 1838 / HB 1463 – Student Financial Aid
The bill states that for purposes of receiving state financial aid awards, a student may not be denied classification as a resident based on his or her immigration status. The bill establishes the Professional Student Loan Repayment Program within the Department of Education, which would be open to veterinarians. The House bill has been referred to the Post-Secondary Education & Lifelong Learning Subcommittee, Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee and Education & Employment Committee. The Senate bill has been referred to the Education Committee, Appropriations Subcommittee on Education and Appropriations Committee.