HB 701 2024
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hb0701-00
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
A bill to be entitled 1
An act relating to pet rabbits; creating s. 828.1618, 2
F.S.; prohibiting the sale of rabbits in specified 3
locations and during specified months; specifying 4
unlawful acts relating to the sale, offer for sale, 5
and give away for merchandising premiums of certain 6
rabbits; providing requirements for rabbits offered 7
for sale at retail pet stores; requiring retail pet 8
stores to maintain and make available specified 9
records; providing for the retrieval, return, and 10
placement of abandoned rabbits; authorizing specified 11
officials to enter retail pet stores and conduct 12
compliance inspections; prohibiting persons from 13
refusing or interfering with such inspections; 14
providing penalties; providing exceptions; providing 15
an effective date. 16
17
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 18
19
Section 1. Section 828.1618, Florida Statutes, is created 20
to read: 21
828.1618 Rabbits.— 22
(1) The sale of rabbits is prohib ited: 23
(a) On any public or private streets and rights -of-way, 24
within 50 feet of any right -of-way, at any flea market, in a 25
HB 701 2024
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb0701-00
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
private parking lot, or at any open -air venue, such as a parade, 26
concert, or festival. 27
(b) In retail pet stores during the mont hs of March and 28
April. During the months of March and April, retail stores shall 29
keep rabbits in a separate area, off the sales floor and out of 30
view of the public, and label each cage, kennel, or enclosure 31
with signage indicating that the rabbits are not for sale until 32
May 1. 33
(2) It is unlawful to sell, offer for sale, or give away 34
as a merchandising premium any rabbit under 2 months of age to 35
be used as a pet, toy, or retail premium. Rabbits under 2 months 36
of age may not be kept on the premises of a re tail pet store. 37
(3) Each rabbit offered for sale at a retail pet store 38
must: 39
(a) Be kept one per cage, kennel, or enclosure to avoid 40
unwanted pregnancies. The cage, kennel, or enclosure must be 41
kept clean and dry and may not have wire floors. 42
(b) Have proper food, water, and hay for digestion at all 43
times. 44
(c) Have signage posted on the cage, kennel, or enclosure 45
which includes the date of birth; name, city, and state of the 46
breeder; and microchip number of the rabbit. 47
(d) Be microchipped and have its microchip registered with 48
the name, city, and state of the retail pet store and breeder. 49
(4)(a) Each retail pet store shall maintain records 50
HB 701 2024
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hb0701-00
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
documenting the source of each rabbit acquired by the retail pet 51
store. The records must: 52
1. Include a certificate of source and veterinary 53
inspection. 54
2. Be located in close proximity to the rabbit enclosure. 55
3. Be available for review by potential purchasers. 56
(b) Records must be kept for at least 2 years following 57
the date of acquisition and must be made available, immediately 58
upon request, to any police officer, code enforcement officer, 59
animal control officer, humane law enforcement officer, or other 60
investigating official. 61
(5) Abandoned rabbits must be retrieved by local 62
authorities, and if an owner is not found, the rabbit must be 63
returned to the retail store that registered the microchip. If 64
the retail store is no longer in business, the rabbit must be 65
returned to the breeder. If the breeder is no longer in 66
business, authorities must fin d a legitimate rabbit rescue or 67
animal shelter to care for the rabbit. 68
(6) A city, county, or any investigating official may 69
enter the premises of any retail pet store during regular 70
business hours to conduct reasonable inspections to ensure and 71
verify compliance with this section. A person may not refuse or 72
interfere with a lawful inspection of a retail pet store by 73
investigating officials. 74
(7) A person who violates this section commits a 75
HB 701 2024
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hb0701-00
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 76
775.082 or s. 775.083. 77
(8) This section does not apply to rabbits raised for: 78
(a) Agricultural purposes by persons with proper 79
facilities to care for them. 80
(b) Livestock exhibitions. 81
(c) Future Farmers of America or 4 -H activities. 82
Section 2. This act shall take effect October 1, 2024. 83