TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday signed 28 bills into law that cover a variety of issues, including teen labor rules, the use of A.I. in political ads, and dead body reporting.
The new laws signed include:
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HB 159 — HIV Infection Prevention Drugs
House Bill 159 allows licensed pharmacists to screen adults for HIV exposure and provide the results of such a screening.
If a patient is screened for HIV, the pharmacist must also advise that the patient seek out a physician.
Under the law, pharmacists will also have a new way to become certified to order and give out PEP, which can be used to prevent HIV after possible exposure.
The law goes into effect on July 1.
HB 461 — Pregnant Women Excused from Jury Service
House Bill 461 amends state rules regarding jury service in Florida.
Under this law, a woman who has given birth within six months before the reporting date on a jury summons may be excused from service upon request.
The law goes into effect on July 1.
HB 613 — Mobile Home Parks
House Bill 613 involves new rules regarding mobile home parks in Florida.
Under the law, mobile homeowners must provide specific documents when filing a petition for mediation with the CTMH involving the park owner. The law also allows for more protections of both homeowners and park owners during the mediation process.
Aside from the new mediation rules, the law mandates that live-in healthcare aides must be able to get into and out of a relevant mobile home owner’s property without any additional fees or rent being charged. The only exception is for the cost of a background check.
However, that doesn’t mean these aides have rights of tenancy within these mobile home parks, the law says.
The law goes into effect on July 1.
HB 707 — State University Funds
House Bill 707 allows a state university to carry forward unexpended funds over the 7% minimum of its state operating budget as an annual reserve balance.
The law goes into effect on July 1.
HB 917 — Teen Labor Rights and Education
House Bill 917 allows 16- and 17-year-olds to work in home construction if they’ve received proper certification from OSHA.
However, this doesn’t apply to situations involving scaffolding, roofs, superstructures or ladders above 6 feet, and the teen must be properly supervised.
In addition, the law requires the state Department of Education to identify “best practices” in career and technical education (CTE) pathways from middle to high school.
As such, state agencies will be required to focus on finding new ways to expand CTE in the state.
The law goes into effect on July 1.
HB 919 — A.I. Use in Political Ads
House Bill 919 establishes rules for political advertisements that use generative A.I.
If such ads show an apparently “real person” doing something that didn’t happen in reality — mainly as a way to smear another candidate — it must include a disclaimer explaining as much.
Anyone responsible for violating this rule can face a first-degree misdemeanor charge, the law says.
The law goes into effect on July 1.
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.
The law goes into effect on Oct. 1.
HB 1031 — Debt Relief Services
House Bill 1031 establishes state rules regarding debt relief services.
Current state law doesn’t define “debt relief services” or regulate such service providers, though the federal Telemarketing Act does.
As a result, this law aims to align state law with the federal statutes.
The law goes into effect on July 1.
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.
The law goes into effect on Oct. 1.
HB 1181 — Juvenile Justice
House Bill 1181 amends the state rules regarding the Department of Juvenile Justice in Florida.
Under the law, the following changes will take place:
- Minors found to have unlawfully possessed a firearm three or more times are adjudicated and committed to a DJJ residential program.
- Officers may arrest a minor without a warrant for unlawfully possessing a firearm if the officer has probable cause.
- A presumption will be created that minors must be securely detained if the court finds probable cause that he/she committed murder or other offenses with a firearm.
- Penalties are increased for introducing contraband into a DJJ facility.
- Courts are prohibited from withholding adjudication if a minor has previously had their adjudication withheld for certain offenses. Delinquent minors must instead be adjudicated and sentenced to a DJJ residential program.
The law goes into effect on July 1.
HB 1281 — Wiretapping
House Bill 1281 amends state rules regarding wiretapping in Florida.
While wiretapping is generally a third-degree felony in the state, there are some exceptions, such as when all parties consent or if a person is acting on behalf of law enforcement.
Under this law, those exceptions would be expanded to include situations where a parent is wiretapping because they believe the recording will capture a statement by someone who has either sexually abused the parent’s child or intends to do so.
The law went into effect upon being signed.
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.
The law goes into effect on Oct. 1.
HB 1425 — Juvenile Justice
House Bill 1425 amends several state rules regarding the Department of Juvenile Justice.
First, the law replaces the term “gender” with “sex” when discussing restrictions on where delinquent minors may be committed.
In addition, a person who has taken a child into custody may not release the child to a juvenile assessment center if that child:
- is suffering a serious physical condition that requires prompt treatment
- is believed to be mentally ill
- appears to be intoxicated and has threatened themselves or others
- is incapacitated by substance abuse
The law goes into effect on July 1.
HB 1569 — Nonprofit Regulation Exemptions
House Bill 1569 provides regulatory exemptions to “bona fide” nonprofits in the state.
In response to the 2008 financial crisis, the U.S. Congress passed the SAFE Act, which set forth rules for residential mortgage loan originators.
However, states were allowed to provide exemptions from SAFE Act registration requirements to nonprofit organizations and their employees based on specified criteria.
Under this law, nonprofits would be exempt from such loan originator and mortgage broker regulations.
The law goes into effect on July 1.
HB 1653 — Dead Bodies
House Bill 1653 establishes penalties for those who knowingly fail to report a dead body.
Under the law, anyone who becomes aware of someone’s death (as provided by state statutes) is required to report the death to either the district medical examiner or law enforcement.
If they don’t, they can face a first-degree misdemeanor. And if they fail to make the report because they’re trying to hide the death or mislead investigators, they can face a third-degree felony.
State Sen. Linda Stewart — who sponsored the Senate version of this bill — said the new rules will help investigators use search warrants to locate bodies that have been illegally dumped.
“Apparently, when people bury bodies in their backyard — I guess mainly drug dealers who have people die on their couch and they take them outside and bury them — well, the sheriffs can’t get to them,” Stewart told News 6. “Because I guess (sheriffs) have to get a warrant, and they won’t give them a warrant unless it’s a felony charge.”
The law goes into effect on July 1.
HB 7013 — Special Districts
House Bill 7013 revises provisions that relate to special districts in Florida.
Under the law, elected members of most independent special districts will have a 12-year term limit, and the creation of new safe neighborhood improvement districts will be prohibited.
Likewise, boundaries of independent special districts will only be changed by the state Legislature, with few exceptions.
The law goes into effect on July 1.
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.
The law goes into effect on Oct. 1.
SB 158 — Motor Vehicle Values
Senate Bill 158 increases the maximum value of a debtor’s motor vehicle that is exempt from attachment or garnishment.
That maximum value was established at $1,000 in 1993, though this law pushes it up to $5,000.
The law goes into effect on July 1.
SB 548 — Public Records Exemption
Senate Bill 548 creates a public records exemption for certain military personnel and their families.
The exemption extends to their personal identifying contact and location information, which might be held by state or local agencies.
To receive the exemption, current and former personnel are required to submit a written request to the relevant agency, along with a statement that the applicant has made reasonable efforts to protect the information.
The bill provides a public necessity statement for the exemption stating that the disclosure of the information could otherwise compromise personal safety and security. A two-thirds vote of both the House and the Senate is required for final passage.
The exemption is also subject to an Open Government Sunset Review and stands repealed on Oct. 2, 2029 unless reenacted by the state Legislature.
The law went into effect upon being signed.
SB 564 — Young Adult Aftercare Services
Senate Bill 564 expands eligibility for young adults — those between the ages of 18 and 22 — to receive Aftercare services.
If these young adults receive Postsecondary Education Services and Support, require emergency financial assistance and was placed in out-of-home care for at least six months after turning 14 years old without reuniting with his/her parent, they could be eligible to receive these Aftercare services.
In addition, the law allows the Florida DCF to distribute federal funds to young adults under this program in the event of a state or national emergency, even if they don’t meet the PESS or Aftercare requirements.
The law goes into effect on July 1.
SB 678 — Genetic Genealogy Grant Program
Senate Bill 678 creates the Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy Grant Program within the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
The program is aimed at awarding annual grants to medical examiner’s offices or law enforcement agencies in Florida to support their processing of DNA samples.
This can help these agencies to better identify human remains or solve violent crimes.
The law goes into effect on July 1.
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
The law goes into effect on Oct. 1.
SB 804 — Horseracing Licenses
Senate Bill 804 revises gaming permitting and licensing procedures.
Under this law, the Florida Gaming Control Commission may deny, revoke or suspend a license of anyone who has been subjected to a provisional suspension by the federal Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority.
If the occupational license is suspended, the commission must offer the licensee a post-suspension hearing within three days.
The law goes into effect on July 1.
SB 1116 — Campaign Finance
Senate Bill 1116 repeals the statutes in the Florida Election Campaign Financing Act.
However, the repeal is pending the passage of SJR 1114, which proposes a repeal of the constitutional requirement in the State Constitution that the state provide public financing for statewide campaigns.
That proposed repeal will be placed on the ballot at the next general election.
If it’s approved by voters, this law will also go into effect.
SB 1616 — Electronic Access to Official Records
Senate Bill 1616 seeks to make official records easier to search.
Specifically, the law aims to make these searches more user-friendly for those who are trying to identify adults against whom a protective injunction has been issued to protect a minor from domestic violence.
As such, the law requires that a respondent’s identity and related case information must be viewable through a publicly searchable database that is available on the homepage of the respective county clerk’s website.
The law goes into effect on July 1.
SB 1680 — Advanced Technology
Senate Bill 1680 establishes the Government Technology Modernization Council.
This council is set to advise the state Legislature on new technologies, A.I. and other related issues.
The law also creates new rules about “generated child pornography,” which makes it a crime to own or purposefully view generated child pornography.
Those convicted of violating this new statute face up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
The law goes into effect on July 1.
SB 1688 — Career-Themed Courses
Senate Bill 1688 adds requirements to improve student awareness of CTE opportunities.
In particular, the law adds requirements for:
- strategic planning among local education, workforce and economic development agencies
- the collection of data in career education programs and career-themed courses
- student and parent notifications about available career and professional academies and career-themed courses
The law goes into effect on July 1.
SB 1704 — Florida Sheriffs
Senate Bill 1704 adds two new state statutes.
The first allows a sheriff to transfer funds between categories and code levels after their office’s budget has been approved.
Meanwhile, the second provides the sheriff with independence in certain personnel and procurement decisions.
The law goes into effect on July 1.
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