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Bill

HB 455

Database of Animal Cruelty Violators

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Yvette Benarroch and 2 co-sponsors

Florida bill would establish public registry of animal cruelty convicts; died in committee but companion bill passed into law.

Died in Criminal Justice Subcommittee, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/HB 255 (Ch. 2025-102)
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Bill Summary · HB 455

Legislative bill overview

HB 455 would have established a statewide database of individuals convicted of animal cruelty violations in Florida. The bill aimed to create a public registry similar to sex offender registries, allowing law enforcement and the public to track repeat animal cruelty offenders. The measure died in committee, though a companion bill (CS/HB 255) was passed and enacted into law (Ch. 2025-102).

Why is this important

Animal cruelty registries could help prevent repeat offenses by increasing accountability and allowing authorities to monitor offenders post-conviction. Such databases also inform pet owners, shelters, and rescues about individuals with documented histories of animal abuse when they attempt to adopt or work with animals. However, the actual scope and effectiveness depend heavily on implementation details found in the companion bill that passed.

Potential points of contention

  • Public registry concerns: Privacy advocates may oppose creating accessible databases of convicted individuals, raising questions about rehabilitation, re-entry into society, and collateral consequences of conviction
  • Registry scope and accuracy: Disputes over which offenses qualify for inclusion, how long names remain listed, and procedures for removal or appeal once sentenced
  • Enforcement and resource allocation: Questions about who maintains the database, verification procedures, and whether law enforcement resources are better spent on prosecution versus registry management

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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