{"id":291517,"date":"2026-06-01T09:26:39","date_gmt":"2026-06-01T09:26:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/291517\/"},"modified":"2026-06-01T09:26:39","modified_gmt":"2026-06-01T09:26:39","slug":"here-are-all-the-new-florida-laws-taking-effect-next-month-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/291517\/","title":{"rendered":"Here are all the new Florida laws taking effect next month"},"content":{"rendered":"

ORLANDO, Fla. \u2013 Well over 100 new pieces of legislation have now been signed into law<\/a> by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis so far this year.<\/p>\n

But of these, the bulk are set to take effect on July 1.<\/p>\n

In all, there are 87 laws that will kick off next month, though there may still be more to come as June progresses, with several bills still heading to DeSantis\u2019 desk for approval.<\/p>\n

[RELATED: Could Florida ELIMINATE property taxes?! Here\u2019s what we know]<\/p>\n

In the meantime, you can find the full list of laws taking effect in July below. The list has been updated as of Friday, May 29.<\/p>\n

HB 35<\/a> \u2014 Traffic Offenders<\/p>\n

House Bill 35 revises the term \u201chabitual traffic offender\u201d to add the offense of driving without a valid license.<\/p>\n

This crime will be added to the list of offenses for which a certain number of convictions in a five-year period requires the state to designate the person as a habitual traffic offender.<\/p>\n

Once a person is designated as a habitual traffic offender, he\/she can generally be prosecuted for a third-degree felony for driving a motor vehicle thereafter.<\/p>\n

SB 52<\/a> \u2014 Security Services<\/p>\n

Senate Bill 52 refers to a state statute<\/a> that regulates private investigative and security services.<\/p>\n

More specifically, the law expresses that this statute doesn\u2019t apply to volunteers who provide armed security services at churches, mosques, synagogues or other places of worship.<\/p>\n

HB 89<\/a> \u2014 Veterinary Prescriptions<\/p>\n

House Bill 89 requires licensed veterinarians to clearly inform clients of their right to receive a written prescription for medication that can be filled at the pharmacy of a client\u2019s choice.<\/p>\n

The law also mandates that if the veterinary clinic is able to fill the prescription, the vet should disclose that option to the client, as well.<\/p>\n

SB 124<\/a> \u2014 Florida Virtual Schools<\/p>\n

Senate Bill 124 amends state statutes<\/a> regarding the Florida Virtual School, which was founded in 1997 to provide students in the state with tech-based educational opportunities.<\/p>\n

More specifically, the law makes several technical changes, such as including all full-time and part-time FLVS students for the purposes of full-time equivalent student calculations.<\/p>\n

HB 131<\/a> \u2014 Estate Curators<\/p>\n

House Bill 131 amends the state\u2019s Probation Code<\/a>, which outlines how estates may be administrated.<\/p>\n

More specifically, the law modifies provisions like curator bond requirements and when courts may appoint curators.<\/p>\n

HB 167<\/a> \u2014 Phosphate Mining<\/p>\n

House Bill 167 establishes a defense from strict liability in lawsuits related to environmental pollution brought under the WQAA<\/a>.<\/p>\n

More specifically, the defense kicks in if the lawsuit is related to pollution caused by a former phosphate mine and certain requirements are met.<\/p>\n

HB 178<\/a> \u2014 School Athletics<\/p>\n

House Bill 178 requires that head coaches of sports teams be allowed to use personal funds to support the welfare of students under the FHSAA.<\/p>\n

Under this law, coaches may provide help in the form of food, transportation and recovery services.<\/p>\n

That said, coaches are limited to using $15,000 in personal funds per athletic team per year.<\/p>\n

SB 182<\/a> \u2014 Teacher Mentors<\/p>\n

Senate Bill 182 establishes the School Teacher Training and Mentoring Program, aimed at improving teacher effectiveness in public schools.<\/p>\n

Under this program, qualified teachers can be placed as mentors in schools that have a \u201cD\u201d or \u201cF\u201d grade, thereby improving the performance of these schools.<\/p>\n

SB 192<\/a> \u2014 Patient Funds<\/p>\n

Senate Bill 192 deletes the $1,500 cap on advances a chiropractic physician may collect for examination or treatment.<\/p>\n

SB 212<\/a> \u2014 Sex Offenders<\/p>\n

Senate Bill 212 amends state statutes<\/a> regarding sexual offenders and predators in the state.<\/p>\n

Under this law, those convicted of certain sex offenses<\/a> against children 16 years of age or younger may not live within 1,000 feet of a public swimming pool<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Current law<\/a> already prohibits these sorts of sex offenders from living near schools, childcare facilities, parks and playgrounds, though this bill cracks down even harder via the following rules:<\/p>\n

Contacting Children: Such offenders may be arrested without a warrant if they knowingly contact a minor at any park, playground or public swimming pool.<\/p>\n

School Grounds: Such offenders may be arrested without a warrant if they\u2019re purposefully present in any pre-K-12 school while the school is still in operation, with few exceptions.<\/p>\n

Prowling Offenders: The bill increases the restricted distance for loitering and prowling by such sex offenders from 300 feet to 500 feet of places where children congregate.<\/p>\n

HB 245<\/a> \u2014 Child Pornography<\/p>\n

House Bill 245 replaces the term \u201cchild pornography\u201d with \u201cchild sexual abuse material\u201d under state law.<\/p>\n

This shift does not change any other elements of the law, including offenses related to child pornography.<\/p>\n

HB 249<\/a> \u2014 State Flagship<\/p>\n

House Bill 249 redesignates the official state flagship.<\/p>\n

More specifically, the law replaces the current state flagship (the schooner Western Union) with the S.S. American Victory.<\/p>\n

HB 271<\/a> \u2014 Bail Bonds<\/p>\n

House Bill 271 subjects foreign and alien bail bond insurers doing business in Florida to the same reporting requirements as domestic bail bond insurers.<\/p>\n

HB 277<\/a> \u2014 Domestic Violence<\/p>\n

House Bill 277 enhances domestic violence penalties if the suspect has already been convicted of that crime in the past.<\/p>\n

The bill also increases the funding amount for relocation assistance claims for victims of domestic violence from $1,500 to $2,500 for a single claim (lifetime maximum bumped from $3,000 to $5,000).<\/p>\n

Furthermore, the bill adds threatening to kill\/injure a family pet and the existence of a military protective order to the list of factors that judges can consider when determining whether to grant a domestic violence injunction.<\/p>\n

SB 288<\/a> \u2014 Electric Cooperatives<\/p>\n

Senate Bill 288 revises a state statute<\/a> that prohibits certain bylaws, tariffs and policies from being used by rural electric cooperatives.<\/p>\n

Under this law, the statute is limited to only those cooperatives that sell electricity at retail.<\/p>\n

SB 290<\/a> \u2014 FDACS<\/p>\n

Senate Bill 290 makes a number of changes to state law related to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS).<\/p>\n

Some of these changes include a prohibition on local governments from banning gas-powered landscape equipment, and criminal penalties for those receiving unauthorized help on a CDL exam. <\/p>\n

You can read a list of more changes here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

SB 296<\/a> \u2014 Domestic Violence<\/p>\n

Senate Bill 296 requires the Division of Telecommunications to investigate the feasibility of a domestic and dating violence 911 alert system.<\/p>\n

The results of the study must be reported to the Senate President and House Speaker by Jan. 31, 2027.<\/p>\n

SB 302<\/a> \u2014 Coastal Resiliency<\/p>\n

Senate Bill 302 prohibits any dredging or filling of submerged lands at the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve<\/a>, with some exceptions provided for public safety and environmental protection.<\/p>\n

This law is also expected to streamline the permitting process for nature-based methods aimed at improving coastal resiliency, helping to accelerate restoration timelines.<\/p>\n

SB 340<\/a> \u2014 Human Trafficking<\/p>\n

Senate Bill 340 requires graduates of professional and practical nursing programs to complete a two-hour course on human trafficking to be eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).<\/p>\n

The NCLEX is a prerequisite for full licensure. Furthermore, this requirement applies to students who apply to take the NCLEX on or after July 1, 2027.<\/p>\n

HB 355<\/a> \u2014 Patient Protection<\/p>\n

House Bill 355 requires the AHCA to establish minimum standards for pediatric patient care in hospital emergency departments.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, the bill requires all hospitals with emergency departments to develop and implement policies and procedures for pediatric patient care in the department.<\/p>\n

SB 386<\/a> \u2014 Farm Equipment<\/p>\n

Senate Bill 386 sets up a process for consumers and manufacturers to remedy defective farm equipment.<\/p>\n

If farm equipment is defective, this law lets buyers report the defect to the manufacturer during the warranty period or the one-year period after the original delivery date of the farm equipment.<\/p>\n

The law also requires the manufacturer to either replace or refund any defective farm equipment.<\/p>\n

SB 422<\/a> \u2014 Airport Broadcasts<\/p>\n

Senate Bill 422 prohibits airports from using information derived from automatic dependent surveillance broadcast (ADS-B<\/a>) systems emitted from certain aircraft as a means of collecting fees from owners.<\/p>\n

This rule is limited to aircraft with a gross weight of 12,499 pounds or less operating under FAA rules and applies under the following two scenarios:<\/p>\n

The operation for which a fee would be assessed is a departure or a landing, including touch-and-go landings<\/p>\n

The fee would be assessed based on an aircraft entering into the airspace of the airport where the fee is assessed<\/p>\n

HB 425<\/a> \u2014 Historic Cemeteries<\/p>\n

House Bill 425 provides that if a recorded<\/a> historic African-American cemetery sells excess vacant land to fund the cemetery\u2019s long-term upkeep, the local government must administratively approve an application to rezone the excess land to allow for development consistent with adjacent land uses.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, the law lets local governments use reasonable discretion to determine the new zoning, provided that it\u2019s consistent with the surrounding area.<\/p>\n

SB 428<\/a> \u2014 Drowning Prevention<\/p>\n

Senate Bill 428 amends the Swimming Lesson Voucher Program<\/a>, raising the age limit to include children between 1 and 7 years of age.<\/p>\n

HB 441<\/a> \u2014 Conservation Lands<\/p>\n

House Bill 441 requires that when a water management district considers selling conservation lands, the governing board publish the following information at least 30 days before meeting:<\/p>\n

The district-owned parcels of land for sale or proposed for exchange<\/p>\n

The privately owned parcels proposed for exchange<\/p>\n

The portions of those parcels that will be preserved in a permanent conservation easement<\/p>\n

A statement from the district explaining why those lands are no longer needed for conservation purposes<\/p>\n

HB 445<\/a> \u2014 Dangerous Crimes<\/p>\n

House Bill 445 adds certain offenses dealing with child exploitation and certain kinds of computer porn to the list of dangerous crimes<\/a> under Florida law.<\/p>\n

This means that someone arrested for one of these offenses can\u2019t be given nonmonetary pretrial release at a first appearance hearing.<\/p>\n

HB 453<\/a> \u2014 High School Diplomas<\/p>\n

House Bill 453 allows student with disabilities to substitute one school year of participation in the Special Olympics for the P.E. requirement for a standard high school diploma.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, the law specifies that two years of marching band satisfies both the one-credit requirement in P.E. and the one-credit requirement in performing arts.<\/p>\n

SB 474<\/a> \u2014 Military Affairs<\/p>\n

Senate Bill 474 revises laws relating to military service leave for public employees.<\/p>\n

For example, the law expands eligibility for certain leave protections to include public officials who are also members of the U.S. Coast Guard or Florida State Guard.<\/p>\n

SB 474 also expands the eligibility requirements for financial assistance from the Soldiers and Airmen Assistance Program.<\/p>\n

SB 484<\/a> \u2014 Data Centers<\/p>\n

Senate Bill 484 prohibits utilities from passing data center costs \u2014 including electricity costs \u2014 onto residential and small business customers.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, the law prohibits utilities from serving data centers controlled by foreign countries of concern, and it allows local communities to set stricter standards on such centers.<\/p>\n

HB 491<\/a> \u2014 Faith-Based Content (BIPs)<\/p>\n

House Bill 491 allows Batterers\u2019 Intervention Programs<\/a> (BIPs) to offer supplemental faith-based activities as a voluntary service to participants referred to a BIP by court order or by consent for acts of domestic violence.<\/p>\n

That said, the law also preserves current rules, which require all mandatory BIP curricula to be based on a psychoeducational or cognitive behavioral therapy intervention model.<\/p>\n

SB 504<\/a> \u2014 Body Cameras<\/p>\n

Senate Bill 504 requires governmental agencies that allow code inspectors to wear body cameras to set up policies addressing proper use and storage of these cameras, as well as the recorded data.<\/p>\n

SB 506<\/a> \u2014 Public Records (Body Cameras)<\/p>\n

Senate Bill 506 creates a public records exemption for code inspectors\u2019 body camera recordings if the footage is recorded:<\/p>\n

Inside a private residence<\/p>\n

Inside a facility that offers health care, mental health care, or social services<\/p>\n

In a place that a reasonable person would expect to be private<\/p>\n

HB 538<\/a> \u2014 Extracurricular Activities<\/p>\n

House Bill 538 revises student eligibility and participation requirements for extracurricular activities, including athletics. It makes a variety of changes, including:<\/p>\n

Allowing districts to use funds raised through high school booster clubs for activities to pay the coaches of those activities<\/p>\n

Authorizing districts to classify athletic coaches and activity sponsors of extracurricular activities as administrative personnel and thusly negotiate salary compensation<\/p>\n

Permitting students who wish to participate in a sport that their current school doesn\u2019t offer to participate in that sport through another school in the same district<\/p>\n

HB 561<\/a> \u2014 Educator Preparation<\/p>\n

House Bill 561 makes it easier for teachers whose licenses expired to get back into the classroom, but without having to retake subject area exams that have already been passed.<\/p>\n

The bill also gives these educators a temporary license so that they can work and earn the classes or training hours they need, and it sets up free training to help them renew or fix their license.<\/p>\n

HB 569<\/a> \u2014 Forensic Client Services<\/p>\n

House Bill 569 allows the Agency for Persons with Disabilities to house non-forensic clients and forensic clients within the same wards in secure APD facilities.<\/p>\n

SB 578<\/a> \u2014 Alzheimer\u2019s Awareness<\/p>\n

Senate Bill 578 requires the DOEA<\/a> to contract for the development of a statewide Alzheimer\u2019s Disease Awareness Initiative.<\/p>\n

The initiative must provide Florida residents affected by Alzheimer\u2019s Disease and related dementias with greater support and access to helpful information.<\/p>\n

SB 584<\/a> \u2014 Commercial Driving Schools<\/p>\n

Senate Bill 584 allows for county tax collectors to enforce statutory provisions related to commercial driving schools.<\/p>\n

More specifically, the law allows these agencies to enter into agreements with the DHSMV to better crack down on fraudulent or deceitful business practices by these sorts of schools.<\/p>\n

SB 590<\/a> \u2014 Statute of Limitations<\/p>\n

Senate Bill 590 extends the window to prosecute someone who willfully fails to make a required report of suspected child abuse, abandonment, neglect or sexual abuse.<\/p>\n

This is done by pausing the statute of limitations until a law enforcement agency becomes aware of the reporting violation.<\/p>\n

SB 598<\/a> \u2014 Funeral Services<\/p>\n

Senate Bill 598 makes several revisions to a state statute<\/a> that regulates funeral and cemetery services.<\/p>\n

For example, the law prohibits licensees from contracting to become the sole provider of funeral services for any firm that provides medical or end-of-life care to the public.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, SB 598 allows licensees to dispose of human remains that have been in their lawful possession for at least 90 days if the legally authorized person of the decedent fails to direct the disposition.<\/p>\n

SB 628<\/a> \u2014 Trump Highway<\/p>\n

Senate Bill 628 renames over a dozen roadways across the state.<\/p>\n

The bill also designates the Tallahassee airport at 3300 Capital Circle SW as the \u201cBobby Bowden-Tallahassee International Airport.\u201d<\/p>\n

Furthermore, SB 628 designates 124 miles of SR-80 stretching from SR-A1A in Palm Beach County to US-41 in Lee County as the \u201cPresident Donald J. Trump Highway.\u201d<\/p>\n

SB 656<\/a> \u2014 Crimes Against Children<\/p>\n

Senate Bill 656 renames the \u201cOnline Sting Operations Grant Program<\/a>\u201d to the \u201cInternet Crimes Against Children Grant Program.\u201d<\/p>\n

Under this program, grants may be awarded to local law enforcement agencies to help them combat online child exploitation and to target those preying on children online.<\/p>\n

HB 679<\/a> \u2014 Trademark Registration<\/p>\n

House Bill 679 mandate that the Florida Department of State use the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office\u2019s schedule of classes of goods and services as the state\u2019s classification for trademark purposes, rather than the general classes for trademarks for goods and services set in statute.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, the bill requires that agency to set up a website where applicants can apply for a trademark or renew a trademark and provides that the website must safeguard the applicant\u2019s information to ensure data integrity.<\/p>\n

SB 686<\/a> \u2014 Agricultural Enclaves<\/p>\n

Senate Bill 686 deals with agricultural enclaves: pockets of agricultural land that are mainly surrounded by development.<\/p>\n

Under this bill, enclave owners may submit development plans for single-family housing.<\/p>\n

Local governments won\u2019t be allowed to enact regulation for one of these enclaves that is more burdensome than for other types of applications for comparable uses, either.<\/p>\n

HB 697<\/a> \u2014 Drug Prices<\/p>\n

House Bill 697 makes it unlawful for a PBM to force a pharmacy to take a loss when dispensing a drug or to reimburse a nonaffiliated pharmacy less than an affiliated pharmacy.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, the law requires PBMs to allow in-network pharmacies to submit consolidated appeals comprised of multiple adjudicated claims featuring identical drugs, day supplies, and dates of service.<\/p>\n

HB 753<\/a> \u2014 School Counselors<\/p>\n

House Bill 753 exempts prospective school counselors from certain professional preparation and educational competence requirements otherwise imposed on classroom teachers by state law.<\/p>\n

However, the bill clarifies that individual school districts may still require these requirements as a condition of employment for school counselors.<\/p>\n

SB 772<\/a> \u2014 Eyewear Insurance<\/p>\n

Senate Bill 772 expands Florida\u2019s limited-license portable electronics insurance agent license to also cover eyewear insurance, including smart glasses and non-electronic eyewear.<\/p>\n

SB 800<\/a> \u2014 Engineering Violations<\/p>\n

Senate Bill 800 provides an escalating fine schedule for subsequent violations of engaging in the unlicensed practice of engineering. These fees are as follows:<\/p>\n

$10,000 for a second violation<\/p>\n

$15,000 for a third violation<\/p>\n

$20,000 for a fourth violation<\/p>\n

$25,000 for a fifth and subsequent violation<\/p>\n

HB 803<\/a> \u2014 Building Permits<\/p>\n

House Bill 803 limits local government regulation of glazing requirements on commercial buildings, and provides for lower fees when a private provider is retained for commercial construction projects.<\/p>\n

The law also mandates that certain building permits expire after one year after issuance or on the effective date of the next edition of the Florida Building Code<\/a> \u2014 whichever is later.<\/p>\n

SB 844<\/a> \u2014 Sickle Cell Disease<\/p>\n

Senate Bill 844 requires that the standard continuing education course<\/a> on prescribing controlled substances include information regarding the treatment of pain for patients with sickle cell disease.<\/p>\n

SB 848<\/a> \u2014 Stormwater Treatment<\/p>\n

Senate Bill 848 allows ERP<\/a> applicants to use compensating stormwater treatment as a mitigation measure when existing ambient water quality prevents compliance with water quality standards.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, ERP applicants for regional stormwater managements systems must provide documentation of adequate financial responsibility, along with a graphic depicting the drainage area served by the system. <\/p>\n

HB 851<\/a> \u2014 Autism Learning<\/p>\n

House Bill 851 requires each school district to provide at least one annual autism-specific professional learning opportunity for instructional personnel and school-based administrators.<\/p>\n

HB 867<\/a> \u2014 Dry Needling<\/p>\n

House Bill 867 allows occupational therapists to perform dry needling, and establishes minimum experience, education, and training requirements to do so.<\/p>\n

HB 883<\/a> \u2014 Insurance Companies<\/p>\n

House Bill 883 allows protected cell captive insurance companies to operate and be domiciled in Florida, thus creating a regulatory framework for such companies. <\/p>\n

HB 905<\/a> \u2014 Foreign Influence<\/p>\n

House Bill 905 aims to limit influence in the state from \u201cforeign countries of concern<\/a>,\u201d including places like Iran, North Korea, Cuba, China and Russia.<\/p>\n

The law accomplishes this by prohibiting charities from accepting contributions from these countries, restricting preplanned adoption\/surrogacy agreements with citizens of these nations, and setting up harsher penalties for crimes committed to benefit such groups.<\/p>\n

HB 913<\/a> \u2014 Inmate Services<\/p>\n

House Bill 913 requires money in the Contractor-Operated Institutions Welfare Trust Fund to be used exclusively for programs to help inmates reintegrate back into society, as well as environmental\/health upgrades in contractor-operated institutions.<\/p>\n

HB 919<\/a> \u2014 Donald Trump Airport<\/p>\n

House Bill 919 preempts to the state the ability to name major commercial service airports.<\/p>\n

More specifically, the law renames the Palm Beach International Airport as the \u201cPresident Donald J. Trump International Airport.\u201d<\/p>\n

All other major airports, including the Orlando International Airport, may keep their current names for now.<\/p>\n

HB 925<\/a> \u2014 Court Clerks<\/p>\n

House Bill 925 increases funding to the Clerks of the Court.<\/p>\n

However, the law doesn\u2019t raise any existing service charges or fees, or create any new service charges or fees that the Clerks may assess.<\/p>\n

HB 927<\/a> \u2014 Local Land Planning<\/p>\n

House Bill 927 requires certain local governments to create a registry of qualified contractors to conduct pre-application reviews of plans, permits or plats submitted in line with local land development rules.<\/p>\n

HB 929<\/a> \u2014 Chickee Regulation<\/p>\n

House Bill 929 prohibits local governments from enacting an ordinance that prevents a member of the Miccosukee or Seminole tribes from constructing a chickee under certain conditions.<\/p>\n

HB 961<\/a> \u2014 Electronic Signatures<\/p>\n

House Bill 961 requires that insurance companies implement secure control processes and procedures for electronic signatures that are acceptable to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.<\/p>\n

SB 984<\/a> \u2014 Firefighter Benefits<\/p>\n

Senate Bill 984 expands the eligibility for disability and death benefits available to firefighters after a cancer diagnosis.<\/p>\n

Current law provides a $25,000 one-time payout as a disability benefit resulting from an initial diagnosis. <\/p>\n

However, the bill would make that available to a former firefighter regardless of whether he\/she elects to continue coverage in an employer-sponsored health plan or group health insurance trust fund.<\/p>\n

SB 1004<\/a> \u2014 Pet Sales<\/p>\n

Senate Bill 1004 implements several new consumer protections related to pet sales in Florida.<\/p>\n

The new provisions include the following:<\/p>\n

Requiring pet dealers to disclose financing terms before a sale is finalized<\/p>\n

Allowing consumers to terminate financing agreements without penalty if an animal is later found unfit for purchase due to illness or disease<\/p>\n

Requiring pet dealers to provide veterinary medical records documenting examinations, medications, and treatments provided to the animal<\/p>\n

Requiring written notice informing consumers of their rights under Florida law, including the ability to return or exchange a sick animal and seek reimbursement of veterinary costs<\/p>\n

Making violations enforceable under Florida\u2019s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act<\/p>\n

SB 1022<\/a> \u2014 Children\u2019s Initiatives<\/p>\n

Senate Bill 1022 provides for the creation of the Bay County 32401 Children\u2019s Initiative in Bay County, and the Pompano RYZE Children\u2019s Initiative in Broward County.<\/p>\n

These sorts of initiatives are community-based service networks located in disadvantaged areas of the state to improve education, economic and health outcomes for local residents.<\/p>\n

HB 1031<\/a> \u2014 Callback Queues<\/p>\n

House Bill 1031 sets up a pilot program to implement callback queues at two state agencies: the Department of Commerce, and the Department of Children and Families.<\/p>\n

HB 1069<\/a> \u2014 Background Screenings<\/p>\n

House Bill 1069 makes several changes to background screenings in the state, including:<\/p>\n

Prohibits a person from acting as an athletic coach if he\/she doesn\u2019t pass specified background screening qualifications<\/p>\n

Specifies that volunteers required to undergo such background screenings are limited to volunteer coach, assistance coach, manager, or referee for a youth athletic team<\/p>\n

Prohibits a person from denying or failing to acknowledge arrests covered by expunged or sealed criminal records if he\/she is screened through the Clearinghouse by a qualified entity<\/p>\n

HB 1073<\/a> \u2014 School Board Bill of Rights<\/p>\n

House Bill 1073 establishes a District School Board Members\u2019 Bill of Rights, which does the following:<\/p>\n

Provides members with access to school district documents necessary to fulfill the duties required under the State Constitution and Florida <\/p>\n

Allows members to consult with the district\u2019s CFO on budget information<\/p>\n

Lets members request documents or information from school staff, subject to legal restrictions and administrative approval<\/p>\n

Grants members the ability to publicly comment on district school board business, except for student\/employee disciplinary matters or other issues prohibited by law<\/p>\n

HB 1085<\/a> \u2014 Cyber Security<\/p>\n

House Bill 1085 creates the Local Government Cybersecurity Protection Program within the University of South Florida, to be administered by Cyber Florida.<\/p>\n

The program must help eligible local governments with developing cybersecurity risk management programs to defend against cybersecurity threats.<\/p>\n

HB 1093<\/a> \u2014 Vertiports<\/p>\n

House Bill 1093 includes vertiports and charging systems as qualifying projects for funding under public-private partnerships between state and private entities.<\/p>\n

In addition, the law allows the FDOT to fund all of the project costs of a public vertiport if federal funds aren\u2019t available.<\/p>\n

HB 1103<\/a> \u2014 Vessel Restrictions<\/p>\n

House Bill 1103 allows local governments to administer provisions of law concerning vessels at risk of becoming derelict and long-term anchoring permits.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, the law lets cities and counties regulate vessel speed and operation within 300 feet of a confluence of water bodies presenting a blind corner (up to 1,000 feet) if the extended area is necessary to ensure safe navigation and visibility for approaching vessels.<\/p>\n

HB 1113<\/a> \u2014 Vessel Restrictions<\/p>\n

House Bill 1103 allows local governments to authorize a code enforcement officer to administer the provision of law concerning vessels at risk of becoming derelict on state waters.<\/p>\n

This can be done by way of local ordinances.<\/p>\n

HB 1121<\/a> \u2014 Disability Services<\/p>\n

House Bill 1121 revises aging and disability services provided by the Department of Elder Affairs.<\/p>\n

More specifically, the law adds food and nutritional supplements as allowable uses of subsidy payments under the Home Care for the Elderly Program<\/a>.<\/p>\n

HB 1159<\/a> \u2014 Sexual Offenses<\/p>\n

House Bill 1159 sets up harsher penalties for various sexual offenses. These changes include:<\/p>\n

CSAM: Replacing the term \u201cchild pornography\u201d with \u201cchild sexual abuse material\u201d in Florida statutes<\/p>\n

Harsher Penalties: Increases penalties for use of a child in a sexual performance; possession and transmission of child porn; creation of generated child porn; possession of a child-like doll; and certain sex acts involving animals<\/p>\n

Mandatory Sentencing: Adults must receive a mandatory minimum sentence for certain offenses related to using children in sexual performances and transmitting child porn<\/p>\n

Repeat Offenders: Raises mandatory minimum sentences for certain repeat sex offenders<\/p>\n

Life Felony: Creates a life felony for aggravated use of a child under 12 years old in a sexual performance<\/p>\n

Generated Child Porn: Creates a second-degree felony for transmitting generated child pornography<\/p>\n

No Pets: Prohibits anyone convicted of certain sex offenses involving animals from owning or working with animals for at least five years<\/p>\n

HB 1175<\/a> \u2014 Office Surgery Suites<\/p>\n

House Bill 1175 requires new safety design standards for office surgical suites.<\/p>\n

More specifically, the law dictates that such standards allow up to six patients on an outpatient basis.<\/p>\n

This is in lieu of the current limit of four patients who, due to treatment, illness or injury, are unable to act in self-preservation during an emergency.<\/p>\n

HB 1201<\/a> \u2014 Student Health<\/p>\n

House Bill 1201 updates statutory provisions regarding the care of students with epilepsy or seizure disorders and expands the definition of schools to include charter schools.<\/p>\n

The law also requires schools to display a poster identifying the basic steps of responding to someone having a seizure.<\/p>\n

Lastly, the law requires the FDOH to include required education and training for schools in its epilepsy education program.<\/p>\n

HB 1217<\/a> \u2014 Greenhouse Gases<\/p>\n

House Bill 1217 prohibits the state and local governments from adopting or enforcing net-zero greenhouse gas emissions policies, including carbon taxes.<\/p>\n

HB 1219<\/a> \u2014 Spoil Island<\/p>\n

House Bill 1219 designates a mangrove island within Jupiter Sound as the \u201cAndrew \u2018Red\u2019 Harris Spoil Island.\u201d<\/p>\n

The island will be named for Andrew \u201cRed\u201d Harris, a native of Jupiter who started his own insurance brokerage agency in 2011 and was killed in a boating accident roughly three years later.<\/p>\n

SB 1246<\/a> \u2014 Nursing Education Fund<\/p>\n

Senate Bill 1246 expands the scope of the Linking Industry to Nursing Education Fund<\/a> to address workforce shortages in health science education programs, in addition to nursing education programs.<\/p>\n

HB 1279<\/a> \u2014 Teacher Funding<\/p>\n

House Bill 1279 lets school districts provide immediate pay incentives to high-performing teachers who choose to teach in lower-performing schools, even without collective bargaining.<\/p>\n

The law also allows bonuses for districts and teachers who offer Florida Advanced Courses<\/a> (FACTs), in line with bonuses offered for other advanced courses like AP, AICE and IB.<\/p>\n

SB 1296<\/a> \u2014 Union Crackdown<\/p>\n

Senate Bill 1296 provides for the decertification of partisan school unions, fast-tracking salary increases that some unions have stalled.<\/p>\n

The law requires at least 50% participation in union certification elections, meaning that unions can no longer be recertified through elections with just a handful of voters.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, SB 1296 increases penalties for illegal strikes, raising the maximum fine from $20,000 per day to $40,000 per day for such organizations.<\/p>\n

HB 1337<\/a> \u2014 Estate Authority<\/p>\n

House Bill 1337 amends several provisions of Florida law to reduce the necessity for court involvement or formal proceedings in the distribution of a decedent.<\/p>\n

More specifically, this bill does the following:<\/p>\n

Gives a personal representative more authority with respect to a decedent\u2019s safe deposit box<\/p>\n

Expressly allows a personal representative to institute a proceeding to enforce his\/her authority as personal representative<\/p>\n

Increases the amounts of what Florida law considers \u201csmall estates<\/a>,\u201d such that procedures other than formal probate proceedings may be instituted to dispose of the subject property under certain conditions<\/p>\n

HB 1407<\/a> \u2014 Civil Actions<\/p>\n

House Bill 1407 sets clear time limits for people who claim to have been illegally discriminated against at work to file a lawsuit after they complain to the state.<\/p>\n

HB 1417<\/a> \u2014 Department of Environmental Protection<\/p>\n

House Bill 1417 repeals the Environmental Regulation Commission, which is expected to streamline rulemaking for environmental protection.<\/p>\n

This law also requires erosion and sediment control plans for the construction of solar facilities to include stormwater best management practices.<\/p>\n

HB 1443<\/a> \u2014 Parkinson\u2019s Disease Registry<\/p>\n

House Bill 1443 requires the Florida Institute for Parkinson\u2019s Disease at USF to set up a statewide Parkinson\u2019s disease registry.<\/p>\n

Under this legislation, physicians who diagnose a patient with Parkinson\u2019s disease must report nationally recognized performance measures to the registry beginning on Jan. 1, 2027.<\/p>\n

HB 1445<\/a> \u2014 Public Records (Parkinson\u2019s Disease Registry)<\/p>\n

House Bill 1445 creates a public record exemption for patient-identifying information held in the Parkinson\u2019s disease registry set up by HB 1443.<\/p>\n

The exemption will be repealed on Oct. 2, 2031, unless reenacted by lawmakers.<\/p>\n

HB 1471<\/a> \u2014 Terrorist Organizations<\/p>\n

House Bill 1471 makes several changes to state law regarding terrorist organizations. Many of those revisions are as follows:<\/p>\n

Terrorist Designations: Creates a process by which the state may designate groups as domestic or foreign terrorist organization if certain conditions are met<\/a><\/p>\n

Religious Laws: Courts and tribunals are prohibited from enforcing religious or foreign laws against someone if such application would violate his\/her constitutional rights<\/p>\n

Private Schools: Prohibits private schools participating in state scholarship programs from being owned or funded by terrorist groups, terrorist supporters, or criminal gangs<\/p>\n

State Universities: Prevents institutions in the Florida College System from using state funds to support programs that advocate for terrorist organizations<\/p>\n

Visa Students: Public colleges must report information about the current status of students who are attending on a visa if they promote terrorist organizations<\/p>\n

Student Expulsions: If a student promotes a terrorist organization while enrolled at a public university, the student must be immediately expelled and assessed an out-of-state fee<\/p>\n

HB 1473<\/a> \u2014 Public Records (Terrorism)<\/p>\n

House Bill 1473 creates a public record exemption tied to HB 1471 for certain information that would require Florida\u2019s Chief of Domestic Security to provide to the governor and cabinet in certain situations.<\/p>\n

HB 1509<\/a> \u2014 Veterinarian Licensure<\/p>\n

House Bill 1509 revises requirements for veterinarian licensure by endorsement.<\/p>\n

More specifically, the law removes the requirement that such applicants have held a valid, active out-of-state license for the three years immediately preceding their application.<\/p>\n

Instead, such an applicant\u2019s valid, active out-of-state license be \u201cin good standing.\u201d<\/p>\n

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