HB 1061 Summary: Animal Cremation ("Sevilla's Law")

• Requires companion animal cremation providers to furnish written descriptions of services without charge to animal owners, veterinarians, pet shops, and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, with detailed explanations of each service type offered.

• Prohibits written descriptions from containing false or misleading information, including misrepresenting communal cremation as "private" or "individual" cremation or falsely describing cremation methods.

• Mandates that providers include a certification with returned cremation remains declaring compliance with their service descriptions; providers must disclose if any animal parts will be removed, used, or sold.

• Establishes civil penalties for violations: first offense fines of $1,001-$1,500 and subsequent offenses of $2,000-$2,500, plus subjects violators to unfair/deceptive practice liability and private right of action for damages and attorney fees.

• Grants the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services authority to investigate violations, issue subpoenas, enter cease-and-desist orders, and impose administrative fines, with collected fines directed to the General Inspection Trust Fund; effective July 1, 2023.