TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – This month, 34 new Florida laws officially went into effect.
More specifically, all of those laws took effect on Tuesday, Oct. 1 after being passed by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis earlier this year.
In July, nearly 200 other laws from the 2024 Legislative Session similarly went into effect.
However, this newest slew of legislation will cover issues like crime, state license plates, and public record exemptions — among many others.
Below is a full list of the laws that took effect on Tuesday.
HB 341 — SAFE Act
House Bill 341 — dubbed the “Safeguarding American Families Everywhere Act” (SAFE) — involves motor vehicle registration in the state.
In particular, the law will require that motor vehicle registration applications include a section to let applicants voluntarily indicate whether they have — or whether they’re the legal guardian of a child who has — one of the following disabilities:
- autism
- attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- down syndrome
- Alzheimer’s disease
- traumatic brain injury
- PTSD
- diabetes
- autoimmune disorder
- deafness/blindness
Applicants who indicate a diagnosis for one of these disabilities can have the designation “SAFE” applied to their motor vehicle record, though that could be updated for removal at any time.
HB 403 — New License Plates
House Bill 403 introduces new specialty license plates for Florida drivers.
Some of these new license plates — at an annual use fee of $25 — include:
- Margaritaville
- Clearwater Marine Aquarium
- The Villages
- Recycle Florida
- Universal Orlando
For a full list of license plates introduced under this bill, click here.
HB 479 — Alternative Mobility
House Bill 479 defines “mobility fee” and “mobility plan” for the state’s Community Planning Act.
HB 509 – Collier Mosquito Control District
House Bill 509 revises the boundaries of the Collier Mosquito Control District.
The special district is responsible for cutting down on local mosquito populations, though this law expands its boundaries and allows it to service a broader area.
HB 549 – Theft Crimes
House Bill 549 cracks down on theft crimes in Florida.
Under this law, penalties for retail theft become much harsher, and new punishments are laid out for porch pirates.
In addition, the law goes after “smash-and-grab” thefts: incidents where a group of people enters a store, “overwhelms” employees and steals merchandise. If caught in a smash-and-grab theft, offenders can face felony charges.
HB 801 – Alzheimer’s Training for Law Enforcement
House Bill 801 requires the FDLE to set up online employee training related to Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
The training must be developed in consultation with the Department of Elder Affairs and teach how to interact with people who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. This training includes instruction on techniques for:
- recognizing behavioral symptoms and characteristics.
- effective communication.
- employing alternatives to using physical restraints.
- identifying signs of abuse, neglect or exploitation.
HB 819 — Lehigh Acres Municipal Services Improvement District
House Bill 819 addresses the Lehigh Acres Municipal Services Improvement District, which is responsible for public infrastructure in parts of Lee and Hendry counties.
This bill expands the boundaries of the special district, which is expected to increase revenues for the district.
HB 1007 — Nicotine Dispensing Devices
House Bill 1007 allows the state Attorney General to create a directory of all nicotine manufacturers selling dispensers that are deemed to be “attractive to minors.”
Under this law, businesses are prohibited from selling such nicotine dispensers, and retailers that already have one such dispenser will have 60 days to remove the product.
If they don’t, these businesses can be fined $1,000 per day that they continue to offer such a dispenser.
HB 1025 — Municipal Service District of Ponte Vedra Beach
House Bill 1025 addresses the Municipal Service District of Ponte Vedra Beach in St. Johns County, which is responsible for providing certain community services.
Under this law, term limits for Trustees receive a lifetime limit of 12 years.
In addition, the law increases the threshold for capital projects that require voter approval.
HB 1049 — Flood Disclosure in the Sale of Real Property
House Bill 1049 aims to require residential property sellers to provide a flood disclosure to a buyer.
This disclosure would have to be provided by the time the sales contract is executed, and it would need to have the following details:
- The form’s title must be labeled “FLOOD DISCLOSURE.”
- A flood insurance policy disclaimer must be provided stating, “Flood Insurance: Homeowners’ insurance policies do not include coverage for damage resulting from floods. Buyer is encouraged to discuss the need to purchase separate flood insurance coverage with Buyer’s insurance agent.”
- The seller must state whether he or she has filed a claim with an insurance provider relating to flood damage on the property.
- The seller must state whether he or she has received federal assistance for flood damage to the property.
HB 1171 — Schemes to Defraud
House Bill 1171 amends the state rules regarding fraud offenses.
The law reclassifies certain fraud cases that are committed against those 65 years old or above, minors, or people with a mental/physical disability.
Under the law, such offenses will face steeper penalties, with first-degree misdemeanors being upgraded to third-degree felonies and first-degree felonies being upgraded to a life felony.
In addition, the law allows anyone whose image was used in a fraud scheme to recover any damages caused due to the use of their image in the scheme.
HB 1235 — Sexual Predators and Offenders
House Bill 1235 amends Florida’s Sexual Predators Act and state statutes regarding sexual offenders.
Many of these changes update how sexual predators and offenders register with the state, as well as crack down on predators/offenders who fail to follow these rules.
For example, this law requires predators/offenders to report any plans to move out of the state at least 48 hours before doing so, or 21 days before traveling outside the U.S.
In addition, sex predators who don’t respond to address verification correspondence from their local law enforcement agency within a given period can face a third-degree felony charge.
HB 1365 — Public Camping and Sleeping
House Bill 1365 prohibits county governments from allowing people to regularly camp or sleep on public properties, buildings, or rights of way — unless the county designates a property for that purpose.
If a county chooses to do so, the designated property may then be used for public camping or sleeping for up to one year.
However, the county will also be responsible for establishing standards for safety, security, sanitation, mental health services and substance abuse services, as well as prohibiting illegal substances and alcohol use. Exemptions under this law include certain emergency declarations.
HB 1389 — Digital Voyeurism
House Bill 1389 amends state rules regarding video voyeurism — redubbed “digital voyeurism” — in Florida.
Under the law, penalties are now upgraded for those who either engage in digital voyeurism or distribute such materials.
Those penalties are strengthened even further if the offender is over 19 years old and either a family member of the victim or someone who “holds a position of authority” with the victim.
HB 1415 — Peer Support for First Responders
House Bill 1415 amends state statutes regarding peer support for first responders in Florida.
Under those statutes, first responders who use peer support to help deal with traumatic events he/she is exposed to have a right to confidentiality for communications between the first responder and his/her peer.
This law further includes correctional officers and correctional probation officers as first responders entitled to the same confidentiality benefits as other first responders.
HB 1545 — Child Exploitation Offenses
House Bill 1545 amends state statutes and establishes new rules aimed at protecting children from being sexually exploited.
In Florida, felony offenses are ranked on a “point” system from Level 1 - 10, with more severe felonies earning more points. These points are then be considered when it comes to maximum sentencing.
This law increases the rankings for the following felonies:
| Violation | Current Ranking | New Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| Using a child in or promoting a child’s sexual performance | Level 6 | Level 7 |
| Possessing child pornography with intent to promote | Level 5 | Level 7 |
| Possessing or intentionally viewing child pornography | Level 5 | Level 6 |
The law also makes harmful communications with minors a third-degree felony, ranked as a Level 3 offense. That is defined as follows:
“Engaging in a pattern of verbal or written communication to a minor that includes explicit and detailed verbal descriptions or narrative accounts of sexual activity, sexual conduct, or sexual excitement that is harmful to minors”
Bill Analysis for HB 1545
Under this law, neither a person’s ignorance of a minor’s age nor a minor’s misrepresentation of his/her age may be raised as legal defenses when it comes to the new rules regarding harmful communications.
HB 7001 — Public Records (Child Abuse)
House Bill 7001 continues to provide a public record exemption concerning personal information about a person who has reported child abuse, abandonment or neglect.
Florida’s Open Government Sunset Review Act requires the Legislature to renew public record exemptions, or else they are automatically repealed on the fifth year after reenactment.
This law reenacts the exemption for reporters of child abuse, preventing it from being repealed on Oct. 2.
HB 7003 — Public Records (Preregistered Voters)
House Bill 7003 continues to provide a public record exemption concerning personal information about 16- or 17-year-olds who pre-register to be able to vote on or after their 18th birthday.
Florida’s Open Government Sunset Review Act requires the Legislature to renew public record exemptions, or else they are automatically repealed on the fifth year after reenactment.
This law reenacts the exemption for pre-registered voters, preventing it from being repealed on Oct. 2.
HB 7005 — Public Records (Financial Disclosure)
House Bill 7005 continues to provide a public record exemption concerning credentials held by the Commission on Ethics, an independent commission responsible for maintaining financial disclosure filings of public officers, candidates for public office, and certain public employees.
Florida’s Open Government Sunset Review Act requires the Legislature to renew public record exemptions, or else they are automatically repealed on the fifth year after reenactment.
This law reenacts the exemption for secure login credentials held by the Commission to allow members to access the electronic financial disclosure system, preventing it from being repealed on Oct. 2.
HB 7007 — Public Records (Campus Emergency Response)
House Bill 7007 continues to provide a public record exemption concerning campus emergency responses held by colleges, universities, law enforcement agencies, local emergency management agencies, the governor’s office, the Department of Education, the Board of Governors, or the Division of Emergency Management.
These responses include evacuation plans, shelter arrangements, vulnerability analyses, and the identification of certain staff and students.
Florida’s Open Government Sunset Review Act requires the Legislature to renew public record exemptions, or else they are automatically repealed on the fifth year after reenactment.
This law reenacts the exemption for campus emergency responses, preventing it from being repealed on Oct. 2.
HB 7009 — Public Records (Baker Act)
House Bill 7009 continues to provide a public record exemption concerning the Baker Act.
The exemption applies to petitions for both voluntary and involuntary admission for mental health treatment, court orders, and other records related to the Baker Act.
Florida’s Open Government Sunset Review Act requires the Legislature to renew public record exemptions, or else they are automatically repealed on the fifth year after reenactment.
This law reenacts the exemption for the aforementioned Baker Act records, preventing it from being repealed on Oct. 2.
HB 7043 — Public Records (Agency Personnel Information)
House Bill 7043 continues to provide a public record exemption regarding the location information for certain “agency personnel,” including first responders, state attorneys and public defenders.
This information includes details like home addresses, neighborhood names, GPS coordinates, and more.
Florida’s Open Government Sunset Review Act requires the Legislature to renew public record exemptions, or else they are automatically repealed on the fifth year after reenactment.
This law reenacts the exemption for agency personnel location information, preventing it from being repealed on Oct. 2.
SB 86 — Hope Cards
Senate Bill 86 requires clerks of the court to create a “Hope Card” program for people who have been issued protection orders, such as domestic violence injunctions.
Under the program, clerks would have to issue the eponymous Hope Cards, which identify and describe the person who is restrained by an order of protection.
The law necessitates that the cards be issued on a “credit-card sized laminated card” or digitally — and at no cost to the protected person.
These cards are intended to help law enforcement better respond to violations of such protection orders.
SB 92 — Yacht and Ship Brokers’ Act
Senate Bill 92 revises state regulations of yacht and ship brokers/salespeople.
Under this law, such brokers wouldn’t be required to hold a license in Florida if they primarily operate as a broker in another state and buy a yacht from someone in Florida who is licensed.
SB 532 — Securities
Senate Bill 532 amends the Securities and Investor Protection Act.
Many of the changes are aimed at improving investor protection through the Securities Guaranty Fund and providing more opportunities for investment within the state.
According to Legislative analysts, the changes were recommended by a Florida task force that was aimed at increasing the ability of small businesses in the state to raise capital.
There were also several small changes regarding business financing provisions that were made to be consistent with recent federal rules.
SB 718 — Fentanyl Exposure
Senate Bill 718 establishes a new law involving fentanyl exposure for first responders.
Under this law, if someone who possesses fentanyl ends up exposing first responders to that substance, the offender could face a second-degree felony.
“If an officer says, ‘Do you have drugs in your possession?’ and you lie, and then the officer ends up getting exposed and harmed, we’re gonna throw the book at you, and we’re gonna hold you accountable,” DeSantis said when signing the bill. “We want to make sure that the people that wear the uniform are protected.”
SB 758 — Tracking Devices and Applications
Senate Bill 758 amends state rules regarding tracking devices and applications.
Under this law, people are prohibited from non-consensually placing tracking devices on someone else’s property or using a tracking device to find out their location.
In addition, the law increases the penalties for such violations to a third-degree felony.
However, the law also expands the number of exceptions to these rules, including:
- law enforcement officers
- parents or legal guardians of a minor
- caregivers of elderly people or disabled adults
- owners of a motor vehicle
SB 764 — Retention of Sexual Offense Evidence
Senate Bill 764 amends state statutes to specify the standards for storing sexual assault evidence kits (SAKs).
SAKs must be retained for a minimum of 50 years if they are collected from alleged victims who:
- do not report the sexual offense to law enforcement during the forensic physical exam
- do not ask to have the evidence tested
In addition, the medical facility or certified rape crisis center that collected the SAK must transfer the kit to the FDLE within 30 days of collection.
The FDLE must then store the evidence anonymously with a documented chain of custody.
SB 808 — Treatment by a Medical Specialist
Senate Bill 808 aims to amend state statutes regarding first responders.
The bill would allow firefighters, law enforcement officers, correctional officers and probation officers to receive medical treatment for a compensable presumptive condition by his or her selected medical specialist.
Treatment by a medical specialist under this bill would be reimbursed at no more than 200% of the Medicare rate for a selected medical specialist.
SB 902 — Motor Vehicle Retail Financial Agreements
Senate Bill 902 amends state statutes regarding retail installment sales.
The bill will create the “Florida Vehicle Value Protection Agreements Act,” which establishes requirements for offering vehicle value protection agreements (VVPAs).
These include restrictions on the type of charges, certain conditional sales and sales with duplicative coverage.
SB 1036 — Criminal Penalties
Senate Bill 1036 reclassifies felony offenses related to illegal immigration.
Under this law, felonies will be upgraded for undocumented migrants who have illegally reentered the country after being deported.
In addition, the law upgrades both misdemeanors and felonies if the subject is convicted of committing a crime to benefit a “transnational crime organization” — defined as groups trafficking or smuggling drugs, people, or weapons internationally.
SB 1628 — Local Governments
Senate Bill 1628 requires that local governments complete a business impact statement before adopting any comprehensive plan amendment or land development regulation.
These statements will have to include the following information:
- Estimate of the direct economic impact
- Estimate of compliance costs for businesses
- Identification of new charges and fees
- Estimate of the county/city’s regulatory costs
- Estimate of the number of businesses that would be impacted
SB 7006 — Public Records (Municipal Utilities)
Senate Bill 7006 continues to provide a public record exemption concerning the following details held by a municipal utility:
- Information about technological security or practices designed to protect the utility’s networks and computers
- Information about the security of existing/proposed information technology systems or industrial control technology systems
- Customer meter-derived data and billing information in increments under on billing cycle
Florida’s Open Government Sunset Review Act requires the Legislature to renew public record exemptions, or else they are automatically repealed on the fifth year after reenactment.
This law reenacts the exemption for municipal utilities, preventing it from being repealed on Oct. 2.
SB 7008 — Public Records (Department of the Lottery)
Senate Bill 7008 continues to provide a public record exemption concerning certain records held by the Florida Department of the Lottery.
More specifically, the exemption applies to department records related to the FDOL’s operations and processes.
Florida’s Open Government Sunset Review Act requires the Legislature to renew public record exemptions, or else they are automatically repealed on the fifth year after reenactment.
This law reenacts the exemption for the FDOL, preventing it from being repealed on Oct. 2.
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