TALLAHASSEE, Fla. \u2013 This year, over 200 new Florida laws were approved as part of the latest Legislative session.<\/p>\n
While the vast majority of these laws have already taken effect, there are a select few that kicked off starting on New Year\u2019s Day.<\/p>\n
Only three of these new laws will go into effect in full. However, a couple of other new laws that already took effect will have some of their provisions finally take effect, as well.<\/p>\n
[RELATED: Here is every single law passed in 2025<\/a>]<\/p>\n The list of laws that took effect on Jan. 1, 2026, is as follows:<\/p>\n HB 255<\/a> \u2014 Animal Cruelty Database<\/p>\n House Bill 255 establishes harsher penalties for animal cruelty<\/a>, which includes intentionally torturing an animal to death.<\/p>\n While the legislation first kicked off in July<\/a>, the law requires the FDLE to post a searchable database on its website as of Jan. 1, 2026, with the names of those who have been convicted of animal cruelty.<\/p>\n Dubbed \u201cDexter\u2019s Law,\u201d the legislation was brought about after a shelter dog named \u201cDexter\u201d was adopted and later found beheaded in Fort DeSoto Park.<\/p>\n HB 655<\/a> \u2014 Pet Insurance<\/p>\n House Bill 655 amends state statutes to include pet insurance in the definition of \u201cproperty insurance.\u201d<\/p>\n More specifically, the law includes coverage for accidents involving pets or when pets fall ill.<\/p>\n The law also seeks a myriad of changes to disclosure requirements and regulations, such as mandating that pet insurance agents avoid misrepresenting wellness programs as pet insurance.<\/p>\n SB 158<\/a> \u2014 Breast Examinations<\/p>\n Senate Bill 158 prohibits the state group insurance program from imposing any cost-sharing liability for diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations in health benefit plans\/contracts for state workers.<\/p>\n