Florida legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Florida S468: Animal Cruelty
Status: Failed, March 13, 2026
Providing that failure to report suspected animal cruelty is grounds for certain disciplinary actions; requiring that a veterinarian, veterinary technician, or other animal treatment provider employee who makes a good faith report of animal cruelty to certain officials be held harmless from certain liability, disciplinary action, and retaliation; providing penalties for certain veterinarians, veterinary technicians, or animal treatment provider employees or volunteers who knowingly alter or destroy a medical record for the purpose of concealing animal cruelty, etc.
What the bill says
An act relating to animal cruelty; amending s. 474.214, F.S.; providing that failure to report suspected animal cruelty is grounds for certain disciplinary actions; amending s. 474.2165, F.S.; clarifying that the authorization to furnish medical records related to veterinary medical services to certain parties under certain circumstances includes, but is not limited to, instances where a veterinarian suspects animal cruelty; creating s. 828.124, F.S.; defining terms; requiring certain individuals to report incidents of animal cruelty to certain officials…
From the introduced text, November 12, 2025:
A bill to be entitled An act relating to animal cruelty; amending s. 474.214, F.S.; providing that failure to report suspected animal cruelty is grounds for certain disciplinary actions; amending s. 474.2165, F.S.; clarifying that the authorization to furnish medical records related to veterinary medical services to certain parties under certain circumstances includes, but is not limited to, instances where a veterinarian suspects animal cruelty; creating s. 828.124, F.S.; defining terms; requiring certain individuals to report incidents of animal cruelty to certain officials; requiring that a veterinarian, veterinary technician, or other animal treatment provider employee who makes a good faith report of animal cruelty to certain officials be held harmless from certain liability, disciplinary action, and retaliation; providing penalties for certain veterinarians, veterinary technicians, or animal treatment provider employees or volunteers who knowingly alter or destroy a medical record for the purpose of concealing animal cruelty; providing construction; providing an effective date. Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: Section 1.âParagraph (qq) is added to subsection (1) of section 474.214, Florida Statutes, to read: 474.214âDisciplinary proceedings.â (1)âThe following acts shall constitute grounds for which the disciplinary actions in subsection (2) may be taken: (qq)âFailing to report suspected animal cruelty to the proper authorities pursuant to s. 828.124. Section 2.âParagraph (d) of subsection (4) of section 474.2165, …
Sponsors
- Wright, Tom (R, SD-008) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Died in Criminal Justice
- : Now in Criminal Justice
- : Favorable by Regulated Industries; YEAS 9 NAYS 0
- : On Committee agenda-- Regulated Industries, 02/10/26, 12:00 pm, 412 Knott Building
- : Introduced
- : Referred to Regulated Industries; Criminal Justice; Rules
- : Filed
Votes
- Senate: S 468 Filed (February 10, 2026): 9 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Rules, Regulated Industries, Criminal Justice, Governmental Oversight and Accountability
Common questions
- What is S468?
- S468 is a bill in the Florida Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Animal Cruelty.
- What does S468 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to animal cruelty; amending s. 474.214, F.S.; providing that failure to report suspected animal cruelty is grounds for certain disciplinary actions; amending s. 474.2165, F.S.; clarifying that the authorization to furnish medical records related to veterinary medical services to certain parties under certain circumstances includes, but is not limited to, instances where a veterinarian suspects animal cruelty; creating s. 828.124, F.S.; defining terms; requiring certain individuals to report incidents of animal cruelty to certain officials…
- What is the status of S468?
- Failed as of March 13, 2026. Latest action: Died in Criminal Justice (March 13, 2026).
- Who sponsored S468?
- Wright, Tom (R, SD-008).
- Where is the official record for S468?
- On the Florida Legislature website: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/468
Source: official Florida record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.