These new Florida bills could soon become law. Here’s the list so far

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida’s 2025 Legislative Session is less than two months away, but lawmakers have already been busy filing new bills.

These pieces of legislation cover a wide variety of subjects, including crime, insurance, education and weather modification.

Below is a list of the 117 new Florida bills that have been filed as of Jan. 7.

NOTE: In order for a bill to pass the Florida Legislature, for the most part, there needs to be a bill in each chamber — the Florida House and the Florida Senate. In the end, only one bill is passed and becomes law.

So while you may see two bills that appear to be the same, that’s just part of the procedure for passing a bill.

HB 11 — Municipal Utility Rates

House Bill 11 seeks to amend state statutes regarding limitations on municipal water and sewage rates charged to customers outside of city limits.

Under this bill, local governments would be required to charge customers in a separate municipality the same rates if using a water or sewer treatment plant in that government’s municipality.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

HB 13 — Windstorm Coverage

House Bill 13 seeks to make windstorm coverage available to Florida homeowners via the Citizens Property Insurance Corporation.

The change would make such coverage available to any homeowner in the state — including residential units like condos — though this would only apply to windstorm coverage.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

HB 15 — Storing Handguns in Cars

House Bill 15 seeks to amend state statutes regarding firearm storage.

Under this bill, owners would not be allowed to store a handgun — regardless of whether it’s loaded — in their car unless it’s out of view and properly secured, such as through being locked in a trunk or glove box.

In addition, HB 15 requires each county in the state to adopt an ordinance that would sanction parents whose underage children are discovered stealing a handgun from someone’s vehicle. These sanctions can include parent education classes, community service, and/or family counseling.

If approved, the bill would take effect immediately.

HB 17 — Florida’s Bright Futures Scholarship Program

House Bill 17 seeks to amend the state’s Bright Futures Scholarship Program.

According to the legislation, the bill aims to help “minority and underrepresented students” qualify for the program by implementing the following changes:

• Public middle schools must provide administration of the PSAT/NMSQT to enrolled minority and underrepresented students in 8th grade with a GPA of at least 3.5.
• Students with a score of at least 1,000 on the PSAT/NMSQT will be provided SAT or ACT prep courses and resources.
• These resources will be offered to eligible students until they can take the SAT, ACT or Classical Learning Test in 11th grade.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

HB 19 — Domestic Violence Website

House Bill 19 seeks to establish a “HAVEN Coordinating Council” to help victims of domestic violence.

The council would be responsible for developing a website that such victims could use to discreetly alert law enforcement when domestic violence incidents arise.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

HB 21 — Dental Therapy

House Bill 21 seeks to establish a “Council on Dental Therapy” to develop rules regarding dental therapy in Florida.

In addition, the bill sets continuing education standards for dental therapists, as well as allows dental therapists to administer anesthesia and provide services in a mobile dental unit so long as they are properly supervised.

The bill would also allow Medicaid to provide reimbursement for dental services provided in a mobile dental unit if it is part of a “health access setting.”

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

HB 23 — Psychologist Certification

House Bill 23 would require the state’s Board of Psychology to develop rules for certifying psychologists in Florida.

Under this bill, psychologists applying for prescriptive authority certification would have to provide materials to prove their current license and graduation from a doctoral psychology program.

If approved, the bill would take effect immediately.

HB 25 — Wrongful Death Damages

House Bill 25 — also dubbed the “Keith Davis Family Protection Act” — seeks to amend state statutes regarding wrongful death lawsuits.

More specifically, the bill would remove certain provisions from the law, allowing adult children and parents to recover damages in medical negligence lawsuits.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

HB 27 — Social Work Compact

House Bill 27 seeks to establish a “Social Work Licensure Interstate Compact” to improve public access to social work services.

While such workers would still be required to adhere to their home state’s rules and regulations, the compact would allow workers with a “multistate license” to provide services across state lines, allowing social workers from other states to provide services in Florida via telehealth.

If approved, the bill would take effect upon enactment of the compact by seven states.

HB 29 — Public Records (Social Work Compact)

House Bill 29 involves public record exemptions pertaining to HB 27.

Under this bill, personal details of social workers through the compact — aside from names and licensure information — would be exempt from the public record.

If approved, the bill would take effect simultaneously with HB 27 or any similar legislation.

HB 33 — National Popular Vote

House Bill 33 seeks to enact the “Agreement Among the States to Elect the President by National Popular Vote” into state law.

The agreement would allow member states to give their electoral votes to whichever presidential candidate wins the popular vote during a general election.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

HB 35 — Heat-Illness Prevention

House Bill 35 seeks to implement rules for heat-illness prevention among workers in the state.

More specifically, the bill applies to industries like agriculture, construction and landscaping, where employees regularly perform work outdoors.

Under this bill, such employers would have to properly train employees about heat illness, provide preventative measures like shade or cold water, and ensure that each employee takes a 10-minute rest every two hours when the temperature outside reaches 90 degrees.

If approved, the bill would take effect on Oct. 1.

HB 37 — Educator Certifications and Training

House Bill 37 seeks to amend state statutes involving teacher preparation programs.

Under this bill, certified teachers and educators would be required to receive training on mass-casualty incidents.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

HB 39 — Disabled Ex-Servicemembers

House Bill 39 seeks to increase the value of property tax exemptions for disabled ex-servicemembers in the state from $5,000 to $10,000.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

HB 41 — Public Records (Domestic Violence Website)

House Bill 41 involves public record exemptions pertaining to HB 19’s “HAVEN Coordinating Council.”

Under this bill, any information collected by the council that reveals the identity of a victim of domestic violence or dating violence is exempt from the public record.

If approved, the bill would take effect simultaneously with HB 19 or any similar legislation.

HB 43 — Reusable Tenant Screening Reports

House Bill 43 seeks to allow landlords to accept reusable tenant screening reports.

These reports are a type of background check that prospective renters can obtain for themselves via a consumer reporting agency and share with different landlords when filling out separate rental applications, which can reduce the overall cost when applying to multiple properties.

However, the bill would require these screening reports to include information like an applicant’s name, contact information, employment verification, previous address, and results of an eviction history check.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

HB 45 — Resident Status for Tuition

House Bill 45 would mandate that people may not lose their resident status for tuition purposes due solely to incarceration.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

HB 47 — Early Learning Providers

House Bill 47 seeks to amend state statutes regarding special assessments.

Under this bill, preschools would join the list of institutions that are exempt from special assessments levied by local governments.

However, the bill also aims to establish minimum standards for child care facilities — including for children’s developmental needs and sanitation — as well update provisions for state screenings.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

HB 49 — Naval Academy Specialty Plate

House Bill 49 seeks to introduce a new specialty plate themed around the United States Naval Academy.

According to the legislation, the word “Florida” would have to appear at the top of the plate, and the phrase “Go Navy, Beat Army!” must appear at the plate’s bottom.

Annual use fees from plate sales would also go toward the Jacksonville Chapter of the Naval Academy Alumni Association.

If approved, the bill would take effect on Oct. 1.

HB 53 — Sales of Ammunition

House Bill 53 — dubbed “Jaime’s Law” — seeks to require background checks for the sale of ammunition.

The bill was named after one of the 17 victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in 2018.

If approved, the bill would take effect on Oct. 1.

HB 55 — Public Records (Sales of Ammunition)

House Bill 55 involves public record exemptions pertaining to HB 53.

Under this bill, personal information for legal buyers and sellers of ammunition would be exempt from the public record.

If approved, the bill would take effect simultaneously with HB 53 or any similar legislation.

HB 57 — Xylazine Offenses

House Bill 57 seeks to establish criminal penalties for offenses involving the “zombie drug” xylazine.

Under this bill, anyone who knowingly sells or possesses at least 4 grams of xylazine (or a mixture containing the drug) can be charged with “trafficking in xylazine.”

In addition, the penalties for such a crime would depend on how much xylazine was trafficked. Those guidelines are as follows:

If approved, the bill would take effect on Oct. 1.

HB 59 — Wrongful Incarceration

House Bill 59 seeks to amend state statutes regarding the compensation of wrongful incarceration victims.

The bill aims to expand the period during which victims of wrongful incarceration can file for compensation from 90 days to two years.

In addition, the bill would remove provisions of state law that prevent someone from being eligible for compensation if he/she was a violent or repeat felon prior to his/her wrongful incarceration.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

HB 61 — Campaign Funds for Childcare

House Bill 61 seeks to allow candidates to use campaign funds to pay for campaign-related childcare expenses.

These expenses refer to situations where the candidate wouldn’t otherwise be spending money on childcare if the candidate wasn’t campaigning.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

HB 63 — Pregnancy Support

House Bill 63 seeks to revise contract requirements for the Florida Pregnancy Care Network.

Under this bill, providers would be required to give clients “current, medically accurate information,” with the threat of fines for noncompliance.

In addition, the bill would require that organizations in the network make information on local rape crisis centers and sexual assault treatment centers readily available to clients.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

HB 65 — Sale and Storage of Firearms

House Bill 65 would require background checks on all people involved in the sale or permanent transfer of a firearm.

In addition, licensed dealers under this bill would be prohibited from selling a firearm in Florida unless the sale includes:

• A commercially available trigger lock or other device designed to disable the firearm and prevent the discharge of the firearm
• A commercially available gun case or storage container that can be secured to prevent unauthorized access to the firearm

If approved, the bill would take effect on Oct. 1.

HB 69 — Presidential Libraries

House Bill 69 seeks to preempt state authority over presidential libraries in Florida, preventing local governments from regulating them.

More specifically, the bill would defer the regulation of presidential libraries to the federal government.

If approved, the bill would take effect immediately.

HB 73 — Safe Waterways Act

House Bill 73 — dubbed the “Safe Waterways Act” — would transfer certain obligations from the Department of Health to the Department of Environmental Protection.

These duties relate to the bacteriological sampling of beach waters and public bathing places.

If approved, the bill would take effect immediately.

HB 75 — Government Flag Displays

House Bill 75 seeks to prohibit governmental entities — such as local governments or public schools — from displaying certain flags.

Prohibited flags under this bill include those that represent particular political viewpoints, including “politically partisan, racial, sexual orientation and gender, or political ideology.”

The bill also requires that governmental entities display the U.S. flag in a “prominent position that is superior to any other flag that is also displayed.”

In addition, the bill would allow active and retired members of the U.S. Armed Forces and National Guard to us “reasonable force” to prevent a U.S. flag from being desecrated, destroyed or removed from its position of prominence by a governmental entity.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

HB 81 — New State Birds

House Bill 81 seeks to make the American flamingo the official state bird of Florida. This would supersede the current state bird, the mockingbird.

In addition, the bill would designate the Florida scrub-jay as the state’s official songbird.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

HB 83 — Public Employees Using Marijuana

House Bill 83 seeks to prohibit public employers from disciplining workers or job applicants due to their use of medical marijuana, just so long as the person in question is a qualified patient.

However, the bill provides exceptions for situations where an employee’s use of medical marijuana may impair their ability to work.

If approved, the bill would take effect immediately.

HB 85 — Hazardous Walking Conditions

House Bill 85 seeks to amend state statutes regarding hazardous walking conditions.

More specifically, the bill would include walkways along state highways, freeways, expressways, entrance ramps, exit ramps, and interchanges as a type of hazardous walking condition under state law.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

HB 87 — Firefighter Benefits

House Bill 87 seeks to amend state statutes regarding firefighters and cancer diagnoses.

More specifically, the bill aims to include acute myeloid leukemia as a type of cancer under the state law for the purpose of treatment benefits.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

HB 89 — Food Insecurity

House Bill 89 would allow local governments to enact land development regulations to permit land use for “small-footprint grocery stores” in food-insecure areas.

These types of stores sell products at wholesale or retail prices, and derive at least 30% of their gross receipts from the retail sale of nutrient-dense foods.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

HB 91 — Misdemeanor Offenses

House Bill 91 would increase the probationary period for certain misdemeanor offenses involving illicit substances.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

HB 93 — Swimming Pools

House Bill 93 seeks to establish new requirements for residential swimming pools on properties sold starting on Oct. 1.

Under this bill, these pools would have to be equipped with at least one of the following safety features:

1. Isolated from access to the home by an enclosure
2. Equipped with an approved safety pool cover
3. All doors and windows providing direct access from the home to the pool must have an exit alarm with a minimum sound pressure rating of 85 decibels at 10 feet
4. All doors providing direct access from the home to the pool must have a self-closing, self-latching device with a release mechanism placed no lower than 54 inches above the floor
5. A swimming pool alarm that sounds off upon accidental or unauthorized entrance into the water

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

HB 95 — Arrest Warrants

House Bill 95 would allow state prisoners with an unserved arrest warrant to file a notice of unserved warrant in the circuit court/judicial circuit where the warrant was issued.

Under this bill, the court would then have 30 days after a status hearing to enter an order for the prisoner’s transportation to the jail of whichever county issued the warrant.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

HB 97 — Protecting Vulnerable Adults

House Bill 97 seeks to amend state statutes regarding the abuse of elderly people and disabled adults.

The bill would allow the use of a substitute service for respondents in these cases whose identities can’t be ascertained due to communicating with a victim through a means that makes tracing their identity “impractical.”

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

HB 99 — Graduation Requirements

House Bill 99 involves graduation requirements for students in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) programs.

More specifically, the bill refers to students who have been in ESOL programs for less than two years and who have met all high school graduation requirements aside from a “must-pass assessment.”

As of the 2025-2026 school year, this bill would allow these students to meet the requirement to pass the statewide, standardized Algebra I end-of-course assessment by “satisfactorily demonstrating grade-level expectations on formative assessments.”

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

HB 101 — Hearing Aids

House Bill 101 seeks to let consumers in Florida receive prescription hearing aids through the mail.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

HB 103 — Smoke Protection

House Bill 103 would require hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to use smoke evacuation systems during surgical procedures that could produce surgical smoke.

Surgical smoke is a byproduct of things like lasers and electrosurgical devices often used during surgery, and a “smoke evacuation system” entails equipment that can capture surgical smoke before it makes contact with someone’s eyes or respiratory tract.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1, though the requirements would have to be implemented in these medical centers by Jan. 1, 2026.

HB 105 — Thoroughbred Permitholders

House Bill 105 would remove requirements that a thoroughbred permitholder must conduct live racing.

In addition, the bill would remove certain slot machine licensure requirements for thoroughbred permitholders.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

HB 107 — Chanda Cheeseborough

House Bill 107 seeks to designate the “Chanda Cheeseborough Ribault River Bridge” in Duval County.

More specifically, the designation would apply to the bridge on Moncrief Road West over Ribault River.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

HB 109 — Early Voting Sites

House Bill 109 would allow photography in polling rooms or early voting areas so long as the area is not considered “open.”

For the purposes of the bill, polling rooms and early voting areas would be considered open until any elector who is in line has been allowed to cast a vote. The bill would not remove a provision in state law allowing voters to photograph their own ballots.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

HB 111 — Sales Tax Exemption

House Bill 111 seeks to create a sales tax exemption for disabled veterans.

Under this bill, such veterans would have to apply to the state for a tax-exemption certificate to be eligible.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

HB 113 — Fleeing From Law Enforcement

House Bill 113 seeks to amend state statutes regarding the crime of fleeing or trying to elude a law enforcement officer.

The bill would reclassify these violations of the law as follows:

If approved, the bill would take effect on Oct. 1.

HB 115 — Clinical Laboratory Personnel

House Bill 115 seeks to remove the following provisions from state law:

• Requirements that the DOH conduct examinations for clinical lab personnel testing and register clinical lab trainees
• A requirement that the Board of Clinical Laboratory Personnel approve training curricula for licensing clinical lab personnel
• Provisions about approving lab personnel training programs

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

HB 117 — Consumer Protection

House Bill 117 involves people who provide home repair services for money without a license.

Under the bill, such vendors must apply for a permit within two weeks after receiving payment and begin work within 14 days of receiving the proper permit.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

HB 6501 — Wrongful Conviction Victim

House Bill 6501 seeks to provide relief for Sidney Holmes, a Florida man who was wrongfully convicted and imprisoned for over 34 years.

Holmes was arrested in 1988 and accused of working with two armed robbers, eventually being sentenced to 400 years in prison.

But in 2023, Holmes was finally released after a nonprofit highlighted errors in the investigation, which led to his exoneration.

As a result, the bill aims to provide over $1.7 million to Holmes as compensation.

If approved, the bill would take effect immediately.

SB 2 — Child Drug Victim

Senate Bill 2 seeks to provide relief for “C.C.,” a 10-year-old boy born with a methadone addiction in Fort Myers back in 2014.

According to the legislation, C.C. was afflicted with the addiction thanks to his mother’s drug habits, and despite an investigation by the Department of Children and Families, she was allowed to keep C.C. in her custody.

However, C.C. later overdosed on his mother’s methadone at 13 months old, causing him to be hospitalized and fall into a coma for two weeks, the bill claims.

While C.C. was eventually removed from his mother’s care and placed into his father’s custody, the bill argues that C.C. has suffered permanent injuries as a result of negligence by the DCF, which should have done more during its investigation.

As a result, SB 2 aims to provide $20 million to C.C. as compensation.

If approved, the bill would take effect immediately.

SB 4 — Wellness Check Victim

Senate Bill 4 seeks to provide relief for Patricia Ermini, an elderly woman in Lee County who was shot by deputies during a botched wellness check at her home in 2012.

As a result of the incident, the bill aims to provide over $600,000 to Ermini as compensation.

If approved, the bill would take effect immediately.

SB 6 — Bus Crash Victim

Senate Bill 6 seeks to provide relief for Jose Correa, who was struck by a Miami-Dade County bus while crossing the street in 2021.

As a result of the crash, Correa was forced to undergo intensive medical care and a below-knee amputation, the bill states.

As a result of the incident, the bill would authorize the county to pay Correa $4.1 million as compensation.

If approved, the bill would take effect immediately.

SB 8 — School Bus Crash Victim

Senate Bill 8 seeks to provide relief for Marcus Button, a former student at Wesley Chapel High School.

Then 16 years old, Button was en route to school when a Pasco County school bus pulled out in front of the car he was riding in, sparking a crash that left Button with brain damage, skull fractures and vision loss.

As a result of the incident, the bill would authorize the school board to pay Button $1 million as compensation, along with another $200,000 to his parents.

If approved, the bill would take effect immediately.

SB 10 — Wrongful Conviction Victim

Senate Bill 10 seeks to provide relief for Sidney Holmes, a Florida man who was wrongfully convicted and imprisoned for over 34 years.

Holmes was arrested in 1988 and accused of working with two armed robbers, eventually being sentenced to 400 years in prison.

But in 2023, Holmes was finally released after a nonprofit highlighted errors in the investigation, which led to his exoneration.

As a result, the bill aims to provide over $1.7 million to Holmes as compensation.

If approved, the bill would take effect immediately.

SB 12 — Child Stabbing Victim

Senate Bill 12 seeks to provide relief for “L.P.,” a young girl whose mother tried to murder her when she was 6 years old.

The legislation states that the incident happened in 2015 after the DCF was alerted to the mother’s “bizarre behaviors” that threw her mental fitness into question, though investigators ultimately left L.P. in her mother’s custody.

But within hours of that decision, the mother stabbed L.P. at least 14 times, which prompted emergency surgery to save L.P.’s life, the bill claims. Thus, the bill argues that the DCF acted negligently, resulting in L.P. suffering major injuries.

As a result, the bill aims to provide over $28 million to L.P.’s now-adoptive parents as compensation.

If approved, the bill would take effect immediately.

SB 14 — Drowning Victim

Senate Bill 14 seeks to provide relief to the estate of Peniel Janvier, who drowned in 2022 after being pushed into a youth center’s community pool in Miami Beach.

According to the bill, lifeguards and city workers failed to notice Janvier being pushed into the pool, ultimately resulting in his death.

As a result, the bill would authorize the city of Miami Beach to pay $1.7 million to Janvier’s estate as compensation.

If approved, the bill would take effect immediately.

SB 16 — Handcuffed ECD Victim

Senate Bill 16 seeks to provide relief to the estate of Danielle Maudsley, a 20-year-old woman who died after fleeing arrest in 2011.

According to the bill, she was taken into custody for nonviolent traffic offenses, but during processing at an FHP substation in Pinellas Park, she fled while still handcuffed.

A trooper followed Maudsley and fired his ECD into her back, causing her to fall to the parking lot pavement “with great physical force,” causing Maudsley to suffer a traumatic brain injury, the bill states. She remained in a vegetative state until her death nearly one year later.

As a result of the incident, the bill aims to provide $1.75 million to Maudsley’s estate as compensation.

If approved, the bill would take effect immediately.

SB 18 — Child Abuse Victim

Senate Bill 18 seeks to provide relief to “H.H.,” a young girl who was neglected and tortured by her mother and stepfather in 2017 when she was still 18 months old.

According to the bill, the stepfather — who had a lengthy, violent criminal history — had recently been released from prison, and both he and the mother were selling drugs out of their home.

Despite these facts, a DCF investigation ended with H.H. staying in the couple’s custody, and just a few months later, H.H. was admitted to the hospital with a severe traumatic head injury and intense brain bleeds, the bill states.

In addition, the legislation says that H.H.’s mother and stepfather were found to have been responsible for her injuries, leading to decades of prison time for the couple.

A medically induced coma and two cranioplasties managed to save H.H.’s life, but the bill argues that the DCF’s negligence caused H.H. to suffer permanent brain damage, cerebral palsy, dysphagia, an inability to walk or talk, and several other severe conditions.

As a result, the bill aims to provide nearly $15 million to H.H. as compensation.

If approved, the bill would take effect immediately.

SB 20 — Child Sidewalk Victim

Senate Bill 20 seeks to provide relief to the mother of “J.N.,” a young girl who was severely injured while riding her bicycle back in 2019.

According to the bill, J.N. — then 11 years old — was riding on a sidewalk maintained by Hillsborough County, but she hit an even patch of the sidewalk, causing her to tumble down a steep slope next to the sidewalk.

As the bill states, J.N. then careened face-forward over the bicycle’s handlebars into a metal drainage culvert pipe, severely damaging her jaw and tearing out several teeth.

The incident necessitated emergency treatment and plastic surgery, and she must now wait until her bones finish growing to receive a much-needed bone graft.

In addition, the bill says that necessary repairs hadn’t been performed on that stretch of the sidewalk nor the culvert system, the latter of which had become jagged and rusted.

As a result, the bill aims to provide $400,000 to J.N.’s mother as compensation and to help cover the girl’s medical expenses.

If approved, the bill would take effect immediately.

SB 22 — Bowel Blockage Victim

Senate Bill 22 seeks to provide relief to the parents of “E.E.M.,” a young boy who died years after being taken to the E.R. at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in 2017.

According to the bill, E.E.M. — then 17 months old — was taken to the hospital due to an “intermittent cough, irritability, and a decreased oral intake.”

However, E.E.M. was discharged that same day, though his condition worsened in the days to follow, the bill states. After exhibiting a distended abdomen and going over a week without a bowel movement, the hospital finally discovered he was suffering from a small bowel obstruction.

“Although E.E.M.’s symptoms, laboratory values, and radiological and other clinical findings were consistent with an intestinal blockage or rupture, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital medical staff failed to appropriately evaluate and diagnose E.E.M.’s condition,” the bill reads.

E.E.M. was eventually transferred to another hospital for treatment, but he suffered “horrific” injuries as a result of his condition, the bill says. In 2023, he passed away at 7 years old.

As a result of the incident, the bill would authorize the South Broward Hospital District to pay $200,000 to E.E.M.’s parents as compensation.

If approved, the bill would take effect immediately.

SB 24 — Employee Crash Victim

Senate Bill 24 seeks to provide relief to Mande Penney-Lemmon, a woman whose vehicle was struck from behind by an employee of Sarasota County in 2018.

According to the bill, Penney-Lemmon was driving her car at the time, and the impact caused “significant physical and neurological injuries.”

As a result, the bill would authorize Sarasota County to pay over $2.2 million to Penney-Lemmon as compensation.

If approved, the bill would take effect immediately.

SB 26 — Officer Crash Victims

Senate Bill 26 seeks to provide relief to Kristen and Lia McIntosh, sisters whose parents were killed in a 2022 crash in Nassau County.

According to the bill, a state officer was trying to cross I-95 at the time, but in doing so, he drove into the path of a vehicle containing the two sisters and their parents.

The resulting crash killed the officer, as well as seriously injured the sisters and their parents, the bill states.

As a result of the incident, the bill aims to provide over $2.2 million between Kristen and Lia McIntosh as compensation.

If approved, the bill would take effect immediately.

SB 28 — Preeclampsia Victim

Senate Bill 28 seeks to provide relief to Darline Angervil and her son “J.R.” following Angervil’s visit to Memorial Hospital West in 2014.

According to the bill, Angervil was over 30 weeks pregnant at the time with J.R., and she was showing symptoms of preeclampsia.

While Angervil was initially given magnesium sulfate to help with her condition, an order was later given to discontinue the magnesium sulfate, and her condition worsened until an emergency cesarean section was performed, the bill states.

J.R. was ultimately delivered, though he appeared “cyanotic” and “essentially lifeless,” requiring resuscitation and treatment, the bill notes. He was later found to suffer from several debilitating conditions, including cerebral palsy, dysphagia, leukomalacia, seizure disorder, esophagitis and mobility impairment.

Years later, Angervil filed legal action against the South Broward Hospital District, alleging “negligence of the district in failing to meet the standard of care for the monitoring, the evaluation of both Ms. Angervil and J.R., and the timely notification of medical specialists regarding the change in Ms. Angervil’s medical condition.”

As a result of the incident, the bill would authorize the South Broward Hospital District to pay $6.1 million to Angervil as compensation.

If approved, the bill would take effect immediately.

SB 30 — Child Brain Death Victim

Senate Bill 30 seeks to provide relief to the estate of “M.N.,” an infant girl who died in 2016.

According to the bill, then-5-month-old M.N. had been taken to the hospital with a fever and “intermittent leg pain.”

Diagnostic imaging revealed that the girl had also suffered several fractures in her extremities, and a physician noted she’d been taken to a Broward County hospital a couple of months prior for injuries after allegedly “falling off a couch.”

As a result, the physician contacted the DCF’s Abuse Hotline, and local investigators determined “a pattern of unexplained injuries” while M.N. was in her mother’s custody, the legislation claims. However, investigators allowed M.N. to be discharged back into her mother’s care and failed to report the injuries to her father, the bill adds.

Later that same month, M.N. suffered life-threatening injuries, including a skull fracture, severe brain injury, and extensive retinal hemorrhages “due to shaking and impact,” the bill reads. M.N. soon after was declared brain dead and died from her injuries after being removed from life support.

The Broward County Sheriff’s Officer later admitted to negligence in the case.

Now, SB 30 aims to authorize the BCSO to pay nearly $2.5 million to M.N.’s estate.

If approved, the bill would take effect immediately.

SB 32 — Child Abuse Victim

Senate Bill 32 seeks to provide relief to “L.E.,” a young girl who was born in 2019 and tested positive at birth for amphetamines.

According to the bill, L.E.’s mother also tested positive for amphetamines, and she engaged in a “violent altercation” with L.E.’s father while at the hospital.

Shortly after L.E.’s birth, the DCF received two child abuse hotline reports about violence against the baby and alleged drug exposure, the legislation states.

“While L.E. was still in the hospital following her birth, the (DCF) determined that L.E. was in ‘present danger’ if left in the care of her parents and that immediate action was necessary to protect L.E. from further abuse and neglect,” the bill reads.

But instead of simply removing L.E. from her parents’ care through a judicial process, the bill says that the DCF — along with its subcontractor child welfare agency — developed an out-of-home safety plan to place L.E. with her mother’s friend.

Three weeks later, the friend determined she could no longer care for L.E., who was placed back with her parents, and the DCF closed its investigation around a month afterward, per the legislation.

The next day, L.E. was brought to the hospital while experiencing seizures, with makeup covering “obvious bruising across her forehead.” The bill says she had suffered catastrophic injuries from child abuse thanks to her parents, though she was later adopted by her grandmother in Chicago.

However, L.E. — now 5 years old — continues to receive treatment for her conditions, and she still suffers from a traumatic brain injury.

As a result, the bill would provide $3.8 million to L.E. as compensation.

If approved, the bill would take effect immediately.

SB 34 — Murder-Homicide Victim

Senate Bill 34 seeks to provide relief to Michael Barnett and “R.B.,” a father and daughter, respectively.

According to the bill, another man named Patrick Dell entered a home in Riviera Beach back in 2010, fatally shooting his estranged wife and four of her children — and severely wounding a fifth — before committing suicide.

However, the bill notes that the DCF had received a report earlier that year about Dell charging his estranged wife with a knife and threatening his kill her, though DCF investigators ultimately determined that neither she nor her children were at “significant risk of harm.”

In addition, the bill says that police had responded to the home over 30 times in the four years prior to the 2010 shooting.

“Because of the investigator’s errors and omissions, the department failed to follow up on warning signs that any reasonable investigation should have evaluated, analyzed, and acted upon,” the bill reads.

As a result, the bill would provide nearly $300,000 to Barnett as the legal guardian of R.B. as compensation.

If approved, the bill would take effect immediately.

SB 44 — Motor Vehicles

Senate Bill 44 seeks to amend state statutes involving prohibited car lights and license plate offenses.

More specifically, the crime of driving a car that has red, red-and-white, or blue lights on its front along the highway — and trying to pull another vehicle over in the process — would be reclassified from a misdemeanor to a third-degree felony.

In addition, someone caught trying to alter the appearance of a license plate or obscure its legibility would be charged with a third-degree felony under this bill.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

SB 46 — Religious Colleges

Senate Bill 46 seeks to amend state statutes regarding the list of institutions that fall outside the purview of the Commission for Independent Education.

More specifically, the bill aims to bring religious colleges under the commission’s jurisdiction “to prohibit the granting of false or misleading educational credentials.”

If approved, the bill would take effect on Oct. 1.

SB 48 — Judicial Sales

Senate Bill 48 seeks to establish the “Transparency in Judicial Sales and Foreclosure Sales Act.”

Under this bill, courts would be prohibited from allowing the use of bidding credits or certain other offsets in certain judicial sales or foreclosure sales.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

SB 50 — Coastal Resilience

Senate Bill 50 seeks to establish more obligations for the Florida Flood Hub for Applied Research and Innovation, which focuses on environmental challenges within the state.

More specifically, the bill would require the hub to develop standards for the “optimal combination of green and gray infrastructure to address sea level rise and the impact of storm surges.”

In addition, the bill would require the state’s DEP to adopt new rules to improve coastal resilience, such as encouraging local governments to engage in mangrove replanting and promote public awareness of the value of green infrastructure.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

SB 52 — School Buses

Senate Bill 52 seeks to revise the term “school bus” under state law.

Under this bill, the definition would be extended to include charter schools.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

SB 54 — Criminal Offenses

Senate Bill 54 seeks to revise the terms “harass” and “cyberstalk” under state law.

These changes would be as follows:

• “Harass” can refer to direct conduct or via a third party, such as by using a camera or drone to spy on someone.
• “Cyberstalk” can refer to someone attempting to access another person’s online accounts without that person’s prior written permission.
• Someone who harasses or cyberstalks justice system personnel can be charged with aggravated stalking, a third-degree felony.

If approved, the bill would take effect on Oct. 1.

SB 56 — Weather Modification

Senate Bill 56 would amend state statutes regarding weather modification activities.

This bill would prohibit the release of chemicals or apparatuses into the state’s atmosphere that are intended to affect the weather, temperature or sunlight intensity.

Anyone who violates the rule could be charged with a misdemeanor and fined up to $10,000.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

SB 58 — Boating Safety

Senate Bill 58 seeks to amend state statutes regarding ID cards for residents.

Under this bill, boater safety ID cards issued by the state would include a symbol representing a lifetime boating safety ID card.

In addition, the bill would increase penalties for boating under the influence or seriously hurting someone by recklessly operating a vessel.

Lastly, the bill aims to revise the term “vessel homicide” under state law, which would be extended to include an unborn child who is killed by causing injury to the mother via reckless operation of a vessel.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

SB 60 — Child Welfare

Senate Bill 60 seeks to establish the “Child Safety and Custody Compliance Act.”

Under this bill, the following changes would be enacted:

• DCF Child Protection Team investigators must investigate reports of child abuse, abandonment or neglect.
• The DCF must verify parenting plans or court-ordered custody arrangements as part of every investigation involving parents who live in separate households.
• Anonymous reports may not be afforded the same presumption of good faith given to reports made by people who identify themselves, meaning anonymous reports should instead be scrutinized more closely.

If approved, the bill would take effect on Oct. 1.

SB 62 — Resilient Buildings

Senate Bill 62 seeks to define the term “resilient building” under state law, which refers to buildings that have a specific LEED certificate.

In addition, the bill would establish a tax credit program for resilient buildings starting on Jan. 1, 2026. The program would work as follows:

• The owner of a building with a gold or silver building design and construction (BD+C) LEED certificate may receive a tax credit of 50 cents per square foot each year for five years.
• The owner of a building with a platinum BD+C LEED certificate may receive a tax credit of $1 per square foot each year for five years.
• The owner of a building with a gold or silver operations and maintenance (O+M) LEED certificate may receive a tax credit of $1 per square foot each year for five years.
• The owner of a building with a platinum O+M LEED certificate may receive a tax credit of $2 per square foot each year for five years.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

SB 64 — Long-Term Care Facilities

Senate Bill 64 would allow residents (or their representatives) of nursing homes and assisted living facilities to install an electronic monitoring device in their rooms.

To do so, the resident (or their representative) must have filled out a consent form with the facility, and the cost of installation and maintenance would fall on the resident (or their representative).

In addition, the bill would prohibit these long-term care facilities from discriminating or retaliating against residents who choose to install an electronic monitoring device in their rooms.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

SB 66 — Firefighter Benefits

Senate Bill 66 seeks to amend state statutes regarding firefighters and cancer diagnoses.

More specifically, the bill aims to include acute myeloid leukemia as a type of cancer under the state law for the purpose of treatment benefits.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

SB 68 — Health Facilities

Senate Bill 68 seeks to revise the term “health facility” under state law.

Under current law, the term refers to not-for-profit private corporations, though this bill would expand the definition to include other entities and associations that are organized as not-for-profit.

In addition, the bill would allow health facilities authorities to issue certain loans and execute the related loan agreements.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

SB 70 — Pre-K Education Programs

Senate Bill 70 seeks to amend state statutes regarding prekindergarten programs.

Under this bill, the number of instructional hours that summer prekindergarten programs must deliver is bumped up from 300 hours to 480.

Meanwhile, school-year prekindergarten programs would be raised from 540 instructional hours to 1,440.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

SB 72 — Campaign Funds for Childcare

Senate Bill 72 seeks to allow candidates to use campaign funds to pay for campaign-related childcare expenses.

These expenses refer to situations where the candidate wouldn’t otherwise be spending money on childcare if the candidate wasn’t campaigning.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

SB 74 — Free School Meals

Senate Bill 74 seeks to establish a “universal free school breakfast and lunch program” across the state.

The program would offer breakfast and lunch meals to all public school students in grades K-12 at no cost to the students or their families.

In doing so, the bill would require school districts statewide to participate in the National School Breakfast and School Lunch Programs.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

SB 76 — Paid Parental Leave

Senate Bill 76 seeks to provide paid parental leave to state employees.

Under this bill, such workers would be afforded 12 weeks of paid parental leave following the birth or adoption of a child.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

SB 78 — Tractor Crash Victim

Senate Bill 78 seeks to provide relief for the estate of Mark LaGatta, a man who was critically injured after a crash with a tractor in 2020.

According to the bill, LaGatta and his daughter had been lawfully riding a motorcycle together on State Road 24 in Levy County, with his daughter as the passenger.

LaGatta came upon a work zone along the highway that was repairing sinkhole damage, and a flagger directed him into the eastbound lane to continue on, the bill states.

However, a state employee operating a tractor with a box-blade attachment backed up into the lane directly ahead of LaGatta, causing a crash that severely injured LaGatta’s legs.

Afterward, LaGatta’s left leg had to be amputated, he underwent several surgeries, and he was placed into a medically induced coma, per the legislation. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, none of his children was allowed to visit him in the hospital.

LaGatta later died in 2024 after being awarded over $2 million in a civil case against the county.

As a result, the bill would provide over $2 million to LaGatta’s estate as compensation.

If approved, the bill would take effect immediately.

SB 80 — State Land Management

Senate Bill 80 seeks to establish the “State Park Preservation Act.”

Under this bill, the Division of Recreation and Parks must manage public lands for “conservation-based public outdoor recreational uses,” including fishing, camping, bicycling, hiking, swimming and boating.

By contrast, the bill explicitly excludes golf courses, tennis courts, pickleball courts and ball fields from this term.

While the bill allows the division to install camping cabins at state parks with a maximum occupancy of six guests, the division would not be allowed to authorize construction work in a state park that could “cause significant harm” to the park’s natural environment.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

SB 82 — Dental Therapy

Senate Bill 82 seeks to establish a “Council on Dental Therapy” to develop rules regarding dental therapy in Florida.

In addition, the bill sets continuing education standards for dental therapists, as well as allows dental therapists to administer anesthesia and provide services in a mobile dental unit so long as they are properly supervised.

The bill would also allow Medicaid to provide reimbursement for dental services provided in a mobile dental unit if it is part of a “health access setting.”

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

SB 84 — Agricultural Workers

Senate Bill 84 would prohibit the state or local governments from passing legislation aimed at inhibiting the construction of housing for legal agricultural workers.

To be protected from interference, such housing would have to meet the following requirements:

• The housing is constructed on designated agricultural lands.
• Dwelling units must meet federal, state and local building standards.
• The site must be maintained in a “neat, orderly and safe manner.”
• All structures with dwelling units must be located at least 10 feet apart.
• The square footage of the site’s climate-controlled facilities may not exceed 1.5% of the property area or 35,000 square feet, whichever is less.
• The site may not be located within 250 feet of a property line for property that is zoned for residential use.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

SB 86 — First Responders

Senate Bill 86 seeks to revise the term “first responder” under state law.

More specifically, the bill expands the term to include support personnel who provide peer support for other first responders.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

SB 88 — UTVs

Senate Bill 88 would allow utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) to be operated during all hours of the day in Florida.

However, UTVs under this bill may only be operated on a designated two-lane county road or municipal street with a speed limit of under 55 mph.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

SB 90 — Fee Waivers

Senate Bill 90 seeks to amend state statutes regarding postsecondary fee waivers in Florida.

More specifically, the bill would delete certain provisions of Florida law that waive out-of-state fees for undocumented students attending a state university.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

SB 92 — Motor Vehicle Repairs

Senate Bill 92 seeks to establish the “Lilly Glaubach Act.”

In cases where a customer gets into a car crash, the bill would require a motor vehicle repair shop to request a written crash report from the customer before performing any repair work on his/her vehicle. This applies if the repair work is estimated to cost at least $5,000.

If the customer doesn’t provide a written crash report, the repair shop would instead have to prepare an accident/collision repair work transaction form that would go directly to law enforcement. The form would include information on the customer, vehicle, and a description of the damage.

The bill is named after Lilly Glaubach, a 13-year-old girl from Tampa who was killed in a hit-and-run crash while riding her bike from school in 2022.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

SB 94 — Firearm Age Restrictions

Senate Bill 94 seeks to amend state statutes regarding the sale and delivery of firearms.

More specifically, the bill would delete a portion of the state law that prohibits selling or transferring a firearm to someone under the age of 21.

If approved, the bill would take effect immediately.

SB 96 — Car Crash Victim

Senate Bill 96 seeks to provide relief to Jacob Rodgers, a man who was injured in a car crash back in 2015.

According to the bill, Rodgers had been a passenger in a car when it was struck by another vehicle owned by the city of Gainesville. The bill states that the city employee had run a stop sign, leading to the crash.

As a result, Rodgers suffered spinal fractures that left him paraplegic, the bill notes.

This bill would authorize the city of Gainesville to pay $10.8 million to Rodgers as compensation.

If approved, the bill would take effect immediately.

SB 98 — Crosswalk Victim

Senate Bill 98 seeks to provide relief to Max Giannikos, a man who was struck by a vehicle while trying to cross a road back in 2019.

According to the bill, then-16-year-old Giannikos was visiting Clearwater with his family on vacation from their home in South Africa.

However, the family attempted to pass through a defective crosswalk, which continued to show the “Do Not Walk” signal due to malfunctioning wiring and negligent maintenance, the bills states.

After around 30 minutes, the family determined they had no choice but to cross anyway, timing their cross when the traffic lights turned red and traffic appeared clear.

But when Giannikos tried to cross, he was struck by an SUV, causing catastrophic injuries, per the legislation.

The bill claims he has incurred over $1.1 million in medical bills so far, and he faces $4.9 million in future medical costs. Giannikos was also awarded over $17.3 million in a court case against the city.

As a result, the bill would authorize the city of Clearwater to pay over $17.3 million to Giannikos as compensation.

If approved, the bill would take effect immediately.

SB 100 — Government Flag Displays

Senate Bill 100 seeks to prohibit governmental entities — such as local governments or public schools — from displaying certain flags.

Prohibited flags under this bill include those that represent particular political viewpoints, including “politically partisan, racial, sexual orientation and gender, or political ideology.”

The bill also requires that governmental entities display the U.S. flag in a “prominent position that is superior to any other flag that is also displayed.”

In addition, the bill would allow active and retired members of the U.S. Armed Forces and National Guard to us “reasonable force” to prevent a U.S. flag from being desecrated, destroyed or removed from its position of prominence by a governmental entity.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

SB 102 — Exceptional Student Education

Senate Bill 102 seeks to establish a workforce credential program for students with autism.

Under this bill, the state’s DOE would have until Jan. 31, 2026 to develop the program, which would help students with autism find employment after graduation.

“The program must allow for such students to earn badges that designate that the students have acquired specific skills that meet employer needs,” the bill reads.

Each of those badges would require the student to demonstrate five discrete skills or behaviors, such as workplace safety.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

SB 104 — Cardiac Emergencies

Senate Bill 104 would require public schools to develop a “Cardiac Emergency Response Plan” (CERP).

The CERP would be integrated with the help of local emergency service responders, and appropriate school personnel would be trained in first aid, CPR, and AED use.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

SB 106 — Protecting Vulnerable Adults

Senate Bill 106 seeks to amend state statutes regarding the abuse of elderly people and disabled adults.

The bill would allow the use of a substitute service for respondents in these cases whose identities can’t be ascertained due to communicating with a victim through a means that makes tracing their identity “impractical.”

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

SB 118 — Presidential Libraries

Senate Bill 118 seeks to preempt state authority over presidential libraries in Florida, preventing local governments from regulating them.

More specifically, the bill would defer the regulation of presidential libraries to the federal government.

If approved, the bill would take effect immediately.

SB 120 — HOA Ombudsman

Senate Bill 120 seeks to create the Office of the HOA Ombudsman, with an ombudsman appointed by the governor to investigate potential maladministration.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

SB 122 — Mental Health Professionals

Senate Bill 122 seeks to reclassify “intern” registrations as “associate” registrations for certain mental health professionals under state law.

In addition, the bill would remove a provision that requires a licensed mental health professional to be on the premises when clinical services are provided by a registered associate in a private practice.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

SB 124 — Grandparent Visitation Rights

Senate Bill 124 seeks to let grandparents of minor children petition a court for visitation with their respective grandchild.

Under this bill, grandparents could make such a petition when the child’s parent is dead, missing or in a “persistent vegetative state” and if:

• The child lived in the same household as the grandparent for at least six months during the 12-month period immediately preceding the parent’s death, disappearance or vegetative state.
• The child didn’t live in the same household as the other parent for at least six months during that preceding 12-month period.
• Eliminating the child’s contact with the grandparent would pose a substantial threat to the child’s well-being.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

SB 126 — Hearing Aids

Senate Bill 126 seeks to let consumers in Florida receive prescription hearing aids through the mail.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

SB 128 — Property Insurers

Senate Bill 128 would require that any residential property insurer give the policyholder at least 45 days’ advance written notice of cancellation, nonrenewal or rate changes.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

SB 130 — Wrongful Incarceration

Senate Bill 130 seeks to amend state statutes regarding the compensation of wrongful incarceration victims.

The bill aims to expand the period during which victims of wrongful incarceration can file for compensation from 90 days to two years.

In addition, the bill would remove provisions of state law that prevent someone from being eligible for compensation if he/she was a violent or repeat felon prior to his/her wrongful incarceration.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

SB 132 — Legal Tender

Senate Bill 132 would specify that specie legal tender (something backed by precious metals) and electronic currency (a representation of precious metals that can be transferred digitally) count as legal tender.

As a result, the bill would make it so that buying or selling specie wouldn’t incur any tax liability, and specie legal tender would be an option to pay private debts, tax burdens and other fees levied by local governments.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

SB 134 — Sales Tax Exemption (Bullion)

Senate Bill 134 would exempt the sale of gold, silver and platinum bullion from the state sales tax.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

SB 136 — Public School Personnel

Senate Bill 136 seeks to revise salary schedule requirements for public school employees.

The bill would also delete a provision of state law that prohibits a performance salary schedule from being reduced due to budget constraints.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

SB 138 — DUI

Senate Bill 138 seeks to amend state statutes about driving under the influence.

Under this bill, a person would be considered as having committed a DUI if he/she was found driving while under the influence of “any intoxicating substance.”

In addition, the bill would make it a second-degree misdemeanor to refuse to submit to a lawfully applied breath test. That would be ramped up to a first-degree misdemeanor if his/her driving privilege had previously been suspended.

If approved, the bill would take effect on Oct. 1

SB 140 — Charter Schools

Senate Bill 140 seeks to amend state statutes regarding charter schools.

More specifically, the bill would revise who can apply for a conversion charter school from district school boards, principals and teachers, to parents whose children are enrolled in public school.

In addition, a municipality located in a school district that has received a grade below “A” from the state over five consecutive years would be allowed to seek a charter.

If approved, the charter would be designated a “job engine charter,” the school of which would be responsible for attracting “job-producing entities” to the municipality.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

SB 142 — Public Employees Using Marijuana

Senate Bill 142 seeks to prohibit public employers from disciplining workers or job applicants due to their use of medical marijuana, just so long as the person in question is a qualified patient.

However, the bill provides exceptions for situations where an employee’s use of medical marijuana may impair their ability to work.

If approved, the bill would take effect immediately.

SB 144 — Same-Sex Marriage

Senate Bill 144 seeks to delete a state statute which maintains that the state of Florida doesn’t recognize same-sex marriages.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

SB 146 — Parental Rights

Senate Bill 146 would prohibit a court from denying or restricting a parent’s visitation rights solely due to being a qualified marijuana-using patient.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

SB 148 — Legal Representation

Senate Bill 148 would prohibit the Department of Legal Affairs from entering into a legal representation contract until the attorney general has determined that the representation is both cost-effective and in the public’s interest.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

SB 150 — Animal Cruelty

Senate Bill 150 seeks to amend state statutes regarding animal cruelty.

Under this bill, if someone commits animal cruelty during a declared state of emergency, it would constitute a third-degree felony.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

SB 152 — Smoke Protection

Senate Bill 152 would require hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to use smoke evacuation systems during surgical procedures that could produce surgical smoke.

Surgical smoke is a byproduct of things like lasers and electrosurgical devices often used during surgery, and a “smoke evacuation system” entails equipment that can capture surgical smoke before it makes contact with someone’s eyes or respiratory tract.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1, though the requirements would have to be implemented in these medical centers by Jan. 1, 2026.

SB 154 — Commission on Human Relations

Senate Bill 154 would delete a requirement that the Florida Commission on Human Relations send certain information to people via registered mail.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

You can listen to every episode of Florida’s Fourth Estate in the media player below: