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MarylandHB 05642026 Regular SessionHouse

Pet Cremation and Burial Services - Requirements (Pet Cremation and Burial Services Consumer Protection Act)

Sponsored By: Nick Allen (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Business RegulationAdministrative AgenciesAnimals -see also- Birds; Dogs; Domestic An; Horses; LivestkAttorney GeneralCemeteriesCertificationsCivil Actions -see also- Small ClaimsCivil OffensesCommerce and Business -see also- ElectrComm; ForeignTr; etc.Committees and CommissionsConsumer ProtectionCourts -see also- AppCt; Circuit; District; Orphans'; etc.CremationCrimes and Punishments -see also- Penalties and Sentnc; etc.DisclosureDomestic Animals -see also- Birds; DogsEthicsFines -see also- Penalties and SentencesFuneralsGoods and Services -see also- Retail Sales; TermnSvc; TrfGdsHealth -see also- COVID19; EnvHlth; MedCon; etc.Health Occupations -see also- (specific health occupations)Identification -see also- Biometrics; Fingerprinting; DrLicsLicenses -see also- AB Lic; Certifications; DrLic; PermitsMorticiansNoticesPenalties and Sentences -see also- Death PenaltyPermits -see also- Building PermitsPrivacyRecords -see also- Land Records; Vital RecordsRegistration -see also- Motor Vehicle RegistrationRules and RegulationsSafety -see also- Occupational SafetyStandards and Best PracticesVeterinarians

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Tough penalties and consumer enforcement

Beginning Oct 1, 2026, breaking this law is a misdemeanor with rising penalties: up to $5,000 and/or 1 year in jail for a first conviction; up to $10,000 and/or 2 years for a second; and up to $15,000 and/or 3 years for later convictions. The Board or Director can refer cases for civil or criminal action. The Attorney General can seek court orders and civil penalties up to $5,000 per violation. Violations also count as unfair or deceptive trade practices under state consumer law.

Clear, free info on pet cremation

Beginning Oct 1, 2026, pet cremation businesses must give a free, written description of every service they offer. It must clearly explain private, individual‑partitioned, and communal cremations, without confusing or misleading text. Owners who arrange a service get a copy, and the Maryland Department of Agriculture gets one. Vets, pet shops, and others who refer or accept remains more than five times a year must hand the owner this description at referral or acceptance. Businesses must also post the service description and the new law in a visible place.

Paper trail when ashes are returned

Beginning Oct 1, 2026, when ashes are returned, the provider must include a certificate. It must show the cremation date and say the service followed the written description, industry standards, and the law. Anyone who returns the ashes to the owner (like a vet or pet shop) must also give a copy of the provider’s certificate and their own statement that, to the best of their knowledge, the ashes are the owner’s pet and were returned as represented. They can rely in good faith on the provider’s certificate and do not have to watch the cremation.

Perpetual care promises must be honored

If a sale of pet cremation, a burial lot, or a burial right says or implies “perpetual care,” the cemetery owes ongoing care. The Office of Cemetery Oversight will set rules to enforce this duty.

Safe handling and 5‑year records

Beginning Oct 1, 2026, holding areas must protect worker health, follow the law, and treat pet remains with dignity. Providers must keep signed cremation authorizations, ID tags or tracking records, and a log with the date, method, and who performed each cremation for at least 5 years. Records with personal information must be kept confidential and secure. Providers must also post the new law and their service description where customers can see them.

Who this pet law covers

The law defines key terms like pet, pet remains, and ashes. It covers businesses that run pet cemeteries or crematories and sell burial lots or cremation. It also covers licensed crematory operators who sell pet cremation to the public. Beginning Oct 1, 2026, the Health Occupations rules apply to licensees who run a crematory and sell pet cremation.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Nick Allen

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Tiffany T. Alston

    Democratic • House

  • Heather Bagnall

    Democratic • House

  • Dylan Behler

    Democratic • House

  • Harry Bhandari

    Democratic • House

  • Jon S. Cardin

    Democratic • House

  • Mark S. Chang

    Democratic • House

  • Bonnie Cullison

    Democratic • House

  • Dana Jones

    Democratic • House

  • Eric Ebersole

    Democratic • House

  • Elizabeth Embry

    Democratic • House

  • Kris Fair

    Democratic • House

  • Catherine M. Forbes

    Democratic • House

  • Michele Guyton

    Democratic • House

  • Pam Lanman Guzzone

    Democratic • House

  • Terri L. Hill

    Democratic • House

  • Thomas S. Hutchinson

    Republican • House

  • Aaron M. Kaufman

    Democratic • House

  • Nicholaus R. Kipke

    Republican • House

  • Lesley J. Lopez

    Democratic • House

  • Ashanti Martinez

    Democratic • House

  • Teresa E. Reilly

    Republican • House

  • Samuel I. Rosenberg

    Democratic • House

  • Kim Ross

    Democratic • House

  • Sheila Ruth

    Democratic • House

  • Steve Johnson

    Democratic • House

  • Deni Taveras

    Democratic • House

  • Jennifer White Holland

    Democratic • House

  • Teresa Woorman

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 304 • No: 4

Senate vote • 4/13/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 46 • No: 1

House vote • 4/13/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 132 • No: 2 • Other: 6

House vote • 3/4/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 126 • No: 1 • Other: 5

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by the Governor - Chapter 547

    5/12/2026

  2. Passed Enrolled

    4/13/2026House

  3. Third Reading Passed (132-2)

    4/13/2026House

  4. House Concurs Senate Amendments

    4/13/2026House

  5. Third Reading Passed (46-1)

    4/13/2026Senate

  6. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    4/10/2026Senate

  7. Favorable with Amendments {453224/1 Adopted

    4/10/2026Senate

  8. Favorable with Amendments Report by Finance

    4/10/2026Senate

  9. Hearing 3/24 at 1:00 p.m.

    3/18/2026Senate

  10. Referred Finance

    3/5/2026Senate

  11. Third Reading Passed (126-1)

    3/4/2026House

  12. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    3/3/2026House

  13. Favorable with Amendments {613521/1 Adopted

    3/3/2026House

  14. Favorable with Amendments Report by Health

    3/3/2026House

  15. Hearing 2/18 at 1:30 p.m.

    2/5/2026House

  16. Hearing canceled

    2/5/2026House

  17. Hearing 2/18 at 1:00 p.m.

    2/5/2026House

  18. Hearing canceled

    2/5/2026House

  19. Reassigned to Health

    2/5/2026House

  20. Hearing 2/18 at 1:00 p.m.

    2/3/2026House

  21. First Reading Economic Matters

    1/28/2026House

Bill Text

  • Enacted

    5/12/2026

    PDF

  • Enrolled

    4/13/2026

    PDF

  • Third Reading

    3/3/2026

    PDF

  • First Reading

    1/28/2026

    PDF

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