\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWEEK. MORE ON THAT STRAIGHT AHEAD. GETTING PATIENT REFUNDS FASTER, TRACKING SEXUAL PREDATORS AND SHINING A BRIGHTER LIGHT ON CONDO HOA\u2019S. AS WESH TWO NEWS POLITICAL REPORTER GREG FOX EXPLAINS, THOSE ARE JUST SOME OF THE NEW LAWS THAT TOOK EFFECT TODAY. HI EVERYBODY. 2026 BRINGS NEW LAWS IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. LET\u2019S TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THE ONES THAT REALLY STAND OUT. IT\u2019S SHOCKING. DOES IT MAKE YOU MAD? OF COURSE IT MAKES ME MAD. FOR YEARS, WESH TWO NEWS HAS BEEN BRINGING YOU STORY AFTER STORY ON HOA FEES FOR CONDO OWNERS. GOING UP, UP UP. ANGRY OWNERS HAVE BECOME MORE SUSPICIOUS OF THEIR BOARDS AND THEIR SPENDING. HOUSE BILL 903 CALLED THE CONDO AFFORDABILITY BILL, TAKES THINGS DIGITAL, NOW REQUIRING HOA BOARDS WITH 25 PLUS UNITS TO POST MINUTES AND, IF AVAILABLE, VIDEO OF MEETINGS ONLINE. STATE WORKERS ARE GETTING A BENEFIT THAT COULD SAVE A LIFE. SENATE BILL 158 ELIMINATES CO-PAYS AND DEDUCTIBLES FOR BREAST EXAMINATIONS, INCLUDING ULTRASOUNDS AND MRIS, WHICH WILL ENHANCE EARLY DETECTION AND TREATMENT OF BREAST CANCER. STAYING ON THE MEDICAL FRONT, SENATE BILL 1808 SHOULD PUT MONEY BACK IN THE POCKETS OF PATIENTS ACROSS THE STATE MORE QUICKLY. UNDER THE LAW, OVERPAYMENTS OF MEDICAL BILLS MUST BE REFUNDED TO PATIENTS OR THOSE COVERING THEIR OUT-OF-POCKET MEDICAL EXPENSES WITHIN 30 DAYS. AND GREAT NEWS FOR FIDO AND FIFI AND THEIR OWNERS. FLORIDA IS NOW THE 14TH STATE TO ENACT REGULATIONS THAT CONFIGURE PET INSURANCE UNDER HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE POLICIES. HOUSE BILL 655 TWEAKS THE FLORIDA INSURANCE CODE TO DEFINE COVERAGE FOR YOUR PET\u2019S ACCIDENTS AND SICKNESSES, AND SETS UP A FRAMEWORK TO REIMBURSE HOMEOWNERS FOR MEDICAL EXPENSES. FINALLY, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT A LAW THAT ACTUALLY TOOK EFFECT IN OCTOBER, BUT SINCE THEN HAS BEEN GENERATING A LOT OF CONFUSION. A LOT OF ONLINE SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER. IT HAS TO DO WITH LICENSE PLATES. IT\u2019S A CRIME NOW TO OBSTRUCT THE PLATE. BUT TO BE CLEAR, BRACKETS LIKE THIS DO NOT BREAK THE LAW. YOU CAN SEE THE NUMBERS. YOU CAN SEE THE DECAL, BUT PLASTIC COVERS THAT PREVENT LAW ENFORCEMENT. TOLL AGENCIES AND RED LIGHT CAMERAS FROM BEING ABLE TO READ YOUR TAG ARE ILLEGAL. GREG FOX WESH TWO NEWS. ANOTHER NEW LAW COULD MAKE BUYING YOUR NEXT HOME MORE AFFORDABLE. SENATE BILL 1080 MAKES IT HARDER FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO RAISE IMPACT FEES. THOSE INCREASES MUST NOW BE APPROVED B\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t2026 brings new laws in Florida, and some will create change in areas that affect millions of Sunshine State citizens. Here are the key ones to know:New Animal Welfare Laws in FloridaHB 255 \u2013 Animal Cruelty Database (\u201cDexter\u2019s Law\u201d) Enhances penalties for aggravated animal cruelty, including a 1.25 sentencing multiplier.Creates Florida\u2019s first animal abuser database to prevent abuse and protect communities. HB 655 \u2013 Pet Insurance Framework New regulations mandate pet insurers to disclose claim payment formulas and allow policyholders to return policies within a specified timeframe. New Healthcare Laws in FloridaSB 158 \u2013 Breast Examination CoverageEliminates co-pays and deductibles for breast examinations, including ultrasounds and MRIs, which will enhance early detection and treatment of breast cancer.SB 1808 \u2013 Patient Overpayment RefundsThis bill will put money back in the pockets of patients faster. Under the law, overpayments of medical bills must be refunded to patients or those covering their out-of-pocket medical expenses within 30 days.SB 944 \u2013 Insurance Claims Submission WindowInsurance overpayment claims submitted to psychologists require that they be submitted within a specified timeframe, etc. Housing & Local GovernmentHB 913 \u2013 Condominium & Cooperative Association TransparencyThis bill now requires HOA Boards with more than 25 units to post minutes, and if available, videos of meetings online. It takes things digital. SB 954 \u2013 Certified Recovery ResidencesRequires counties and municipalities to adopt an ordinance by a set date establishing procedures to review and approve certified recovery residences. Limits local governments from imposing public hearing requirements beyond what state law already requires and clarifies that staffing ratios only need to be met when residents are physically present at the residence.SB 1080 \u2013 Local Government Land Regulation Impact Fee Limits Requiring counties to specify the minimum information necessary for certain applicationsRevising timeframes for processing applications for approval of development permits or development orders; prohibiting a school district from collecting, charging, or imposing certain fees unless they meet certain requirementsSpecifying certain purposes for which local governments may use certain fees to carry out activities relating to obtaining or finalizing a building permitRequiring municipalities to specify the minimum information necessary for certain applications, etc. Finally, there’s been a lot of confusion and social media chatter about a law that took effect in October. It’s now a criminal offense to cover the vital information on your license plate. A bracket that surrounds your plate, maybe one that celebrates your favorite sports team, but does not obscure the letters, numbers and registration decal, is perfectly legal. Plastic covers that prevent law enforcement, toll agencies and red-light cameras from being able to read your tag, due to heavy tinting, or ones that are only semi-transparent, are illegal. No longer punishable by a citation, covering your plate is a second-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to 60 days in jail and up to a $500 fine.\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
2026 brings new laws in Florida, and some will create change in areas that affect millions of Sunshine State citizens. <\/p>\n
Here are the key ones to know:<\/p>\n
New Animal Welfare Laws in Florida<\/p>\n
HB 255 \u2013 Animal Cruelty Database (\u201cDexter\u2019s Law\u201d)<\/a><\/p>\n Enhances penalties for aggravated animal cruelty, including a 1.25 sentencing multiplier.Creates Florida\u2019s first animal abuser database to prevent abuse and protect communities. <\/p>\n HB 655 \u2013 Pet Insurance Framework <\/a><\/p>\n New regulations mandate pet insurers to disclose claim payment formulas and allow policyholders to return policies within a specified timeframe. <\/p>\n New Healthcare Laws in Florida<\/p>\n SB 158 \u2013 Breast Examination Coverage<\/a><\/p>\n Eliminates co-pays and deductibles for breast examinations, including ultrasounds and MRIs, which will enhance early detection and treatment of breast cancer.<\/p>\n SB 1808 \u2013 Patient Overpayment Refunds<\/a><\/p>\n This bill will put money back in the pockets of patients faster. Under the law, overpayments of medical bills must be refunded to patients or those covering their out-of-pocket medical expenses within 30 days.<\/p>\n SB 944 \u2013 Insurance Claims Submission Window<\/a><\/p>\n Insurance overpayment claims submitted to psychologists require that they be submitted within a specified timeframe, etc.<\/p>\n Housing & Local Government<\/p>\n HB 913 \u2013 Condominium & Cooperative Association Transparency<\/a><\/p>\n This bill now requires HOA Boards with more than 25 units to post minutes, and if available, videos of meetings online. It takes things digital. <\/p>\n