{"id":21094,"date":"2025-12-29T16:19:42","date_gmt":"2025-12-29T21:19:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wfsu.org\/local-routes\/?post_type=wfsu-news&p=21094"},"modified":"2025-12-29T16:41:12","modified_gmt":"2025-12-29T21:41:12","slug":"pet-insurance-and-animal-cruelty-changes-take-effect-in-2026","status":"publish","type":"wfsu-news","link":"https:\/\/wfsu.org\/local-routes\/wfsu-news\/pet-insurance-and-animal-cruelty-changes-take-effect-in-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Pet insurance and animal cruelty changes take effect in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

Regulating pet insurance and providing a database about animal cruelty are among a handful of changes in state laws that take effect at the start of 2026. <\/p>\n

Several companies offer pet insurance, but a new law (HB 655) would create a regulatory framework, including required disclosures, consumer protection and definitions of such things as pre-existing conditions and wellness programs. <\/p>\n

The North American Pet Health Insurance Association, an industry group, said on its website that coverage for pets — mostly dogs — has grown annually 20 percent over the past five years. <\/p>\n

Also beginning Thursday, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement will be required to provide an online database about people convicted of animal-cruelty offenses. The database was part of a law (HB 255), known as “Dexter’s Law,” that increased penalties for aggravated animal cruelty offenses. <\/p>\n

It was proposed after a St. Petersburg man was accused of decapitating his newly adopted dog. More than 200 new Florida laws were approved during the 2025 legislative session. Most took effect July 1. <\/p>\n

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