(WINK) — Nearly a dozen new laws are officially on the books in Florida as of Oct. 1 as part of the 2026 legislative session, and they range from cars to gangs to drugs.
The majority of the laws from this past session took effect back on July 1, but a handful remained until now.
The first notable change, which actually started on Wed. Sept. 30, concerns the final increase of the state’s minimum wage, which is now at $15 an hour. This year marks the final wage increase in a measure approved by voters back in 2020, where each following year the minimum wage would increase by one dollar. Currently, the federal minimum wage sits at $7.25 and has remained untouched since 2009.
Tipped employees will also see more money on their paychecks going forward, as their base wage rises from $10.98 to $11.98 an hour.
There are new legal changes for drivers, with one new law raising the threshold for when authorities should be notified following a vehicle crash. Instead of the previous threshold of $500 in apparent property damage, there now must be at least $2,000 observed following a crash before law enforcement is involved.
Another law surrounds vehicle registration, as Floridians now need to provide a state home address and a state identification card to register.
Other legal measures increase the severity of punishments for animal crimes, gang activity and drug trafficking convictions.
Anyone convicted of animal cruelty, animal fighting, baiting or sexual offenses involving minors will now receive a third-degree felony. The law, which stems from House Bill 559, also includes a measure where children charged in said crimes will have to undergo psychological evaluations and possible treatment.
The state is cracking down on other criminals as well. Florida will create a felony registry called a career offender registration, which is similar to a sex offender registry. Habitual, violent felony offenders, violent career criminals, and 3x violent felony offenders must provide a home address, phone number, employment update, vehicle, professional licenses and immigration status to the local sheriff’s department every year.
That, on top of reporting any changes of address, phone numbers and employment statuses within 48 hours, plus having a marking of “775.261,” which signifies a “career offender” on their driver’s license or state identification card, under Senate Bill 1332.
Florida is also taking no-contact orders more seriously, as law enforcement can now make an arrest without a warrant if there is reason to believe an order is being violated.