TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – As we approach the end of the year, our sister station WKMG, Orlando Click, has compiled a thorough list of bills that made it into law during this year’s Legislative Session.
In all, there were 296 laws passed by the Legislature and signed into law, though some won’t take effect until 2025.
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These new laws cover subjects like insurance, crime, education, tax relief, environmentalism and much, much more.
Below is comprehensive list of the laws:
HB 3 — Social Media Restrictions for Children
TAKES EFFECT JAN. 1, 2025
House Bill 3 bans children under 14 years old from having social media accounts, though the law allows 14- and 15-year-olds to have accounts with parental consent.
Under the law, “social media” is defined as an online platform with all of the following properties:
- Allows users to upload content or view the content of others
- At least 10% of daily active users under 16 years old spend an average minimum of two hours per day over the prior year
- Uses algorithms that analyze user data
- Has addictive features like “infinite scrolling,” push notifications and personal interactive metrics
HB 21 — Dozier School for Boys
TOOK EFFECT JULY 1
House Bill 21 creates a compensation program for victims of the “horrific” Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys.
That reform school opened in Marianna back in 1900, and it was used to house children as young as 5 years old who were committed for various offenses, ranging from truancy to murder. In addition, the school housed orphaned children when necessary.
But abuse allegations began as early as 1903, with reports of children being chained in irons, whipped, severely beaten, sexually abused, tortured and even killed. Some of these accounts alleged that staff forced the boys to fight one another for their entertainment.
Eventually, a federal investigation uncovered “harmful practices” at the Dozier School, and it was closed in 2011 (though state official cited budget constraints). The Okeechobee School was later closed in 2020.
However, over 400 men sent to either of these schools in the mid-1900s have come forward about their experiences in recent years, calling themselves the “White House Boys” after a white structure at the Dozier School where many boys were reportedly beaten.
In addition, researchers from the University of South Florida recently discovered human remains at 55 unmarked graves on the Dozier School’s property. Some of these remains had signs of gunshot wounds or blunt force trauma, and at least one set of remains belonged to a child listed as missing in the school’s records.
As a result, this law establishes the Dozier School for Boys and Okeechobee School Victim Compensation Program to compensate anyone confined in these schools between 1940 and 1975 who suffered abuse by staff members.
HB 23 — Public Records (Dozier School for Boys)
TOOK EFFECT JULY 1
House Bill 23 protects the personal information of those applying under the Dozier School for Boys and Okeechobee School Victim Compensation Program.
Under this law, that information will be exempt from public records. However, the exemption will be repealed on Oct. 2, 2029 unless reenacted by the Legislature, per the Open Government Sunset Review Act.
HB 49 — Teen Labor Rights
TOOK EFFECT JULY 1
House Bill 49 removes some of the restrictions on labor rules for 16- and 17-year-olds in Florida.
For starters, the law removes restrictions about how many hours per day and week these teens are allowed to work, allowing them to work the same number of hours as an adult.
The law also makes the following changes:
- If these teens work eight or more hours in a day, they may not work more than four hours in a row without receiving at least a 30-minute meal break.
- These teens may only work a shift between 6:30 a.m. and 11 p.m. when school is scheduled for the next day.
- These teens may not work more than eight hours in a day when school is scheduled for the next day. The exceptions to this rule are Sundays and holidays.
- These teens aren’t allowed to work more than 30 hours in a week when school is in session unless they have a parent’s permission otherwise.
HB 59 — HOA Rules and Covenants
TOOK EFFECT JULY 1
House Bill 59 changes some rules surrounding homeowners’ associations.
Specifically, the bill requires HOAs to provide a physical or digital copy of their rules and covenants to each of its members by Oct. 1 — as well as to all new members going forward.
In addition, the law requires HOAs to provide an updated copy of its rules to its members whenever they are updated.
HB 73 — Developmental Disabilities
TOOK EFFECT JULY 1
House Bill 73 establishes a “supportive decision-making agreement” (SDM) as a type of power of attorney for those with developmental disabilities.
Under this law, courts are required to address whether an “incapacitated individual” would need help to exercise their rights during a petition to determine incapacity, and to what extent he/she needs that help.
The SDM allows a supporter to help such an individual with communication and decision-making, though the SDM can’t necessarily bind a person with disabilities to any of the supporter’s actions.
In addition, the law adds the SDM as a document that can be used by parents in educational decision-making.
HB 83 — Inmate Trust Fund
TOOK EFFECT MARCH 22
House Bill 83 recreates the “State-Operated Inmate Welfare Trust Fund” within the FDC.
This trust fund is used to maintain state correctional facilities and care for inmates. Total projected receipts into the trust fund for the 2024-2025 fiscal year amount to over $31 million.
The state Constitution requires that newly created trust funds may only last up to four years unless recreated through a bill. Since this trust fund was created in 2020, lawmakers were required to pass this law to continue it.
HB 85 — Public Records (New State Banks)
TOOK EFFECT JULY 1
House Bill 85 establishes a public records exemption for certain details in applications with the state to organize a new bank or trust company.
These sorts of details include the following:
- personal financial information
- driver’s license number, passport number, military ID number, or any other number issued on a government document to verify identity
- books and records of a current or proposed financial institution
- state bank/trust company’s proposed business plan
The exemptions will automatically be repealed on Oct. 2, 2029 unless renewed by the Legislature.
HB 87 — Taking of Bears
TOOK EFFECT JULY 1
House Bill 87 creates a “Self Defense Act,” which allows people to use lethal force against a bear under certain conditions.
Those conditions are as follows:
- The person reasonably believed it was necessary to avoid the imminent threat of death or serious harm to themselves, someone else, or a pet.
- The person didn’t lure the bear with materials like food for illegal reasons, such as training dogs to hunt.
- The person didn’t purposefully or “recklessly” place himself/herself or a pet in a situation where lethal force was necessary.
- The person notified FWC within 24 hours after using lethal force against a bear.
In addition, the law prohibits people from owning, selling or disposing of a bear or its parts in this situation. Instead, FWC must handle the disposal.
HB 103 — Attorney Public Records
TOOK EFFECT JULY 1
House Bill 103 creates public record exemptions for local government attorneys, including county and city attorneys.
Under this bill, the following information about such attorneys will be exempt from public record requirements:
- Home addresses
- Telephone numbers
- Dates of birth
- Photographs
- Names of spouses and children
- Names and location of schools/daycares attended by attorney’s children
However, these exemptions don’t apply to local government attorneys who are running for public office. In addition, these exemptions will be automatically repealed on Oct. 2, 2029 thanks to the Open Government Sunset Review Act — unless reenacted by lawmakers.
HB 113 — Tax Collections and Sales
TOOK EFFECT JULY 1
House Bill 113 amends the state statutes regarding partial payments of current-year taxes.
The new law eliminates a $10 processing fee to the tax collector for partial payments.
In addition, there is a new clause for situations involving delinquent tax bills on real estate. Tax collectors must provide additional information in reports to county commissions about situations where credit is given, including federal bankruptcies and properties in which taxes are below the minimum tax bill.
HB 117 — Jeffrey Epstein Records
TOOK EFFECT JULY 1
House Bill 117 amends state statutes regarding the disclosure of grand jury testimony.
Under this law, such a disclosure is warranted when it’s in the public’s interest — such as with the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking case, as described by DeSantis earlier this year.
In addition, these records may only be released under all of the following conditions:
- The subject of the grand jury inquiry is dead.
- The grand jury inquiry related to criminal or sexual activity between the subject of the grand jury investigation and a person who was a minor at the time of the alleged incident.
- The testimony was previously disclosed by a court order.
- The state attorney is provided notice of the request.
HB 135 - Voter Registration Applications
TAKES EFFECT JAN. 1, 2025
House Bill 135 amends parts of the state’s voter registration application statutes.
Primarily, voters can only switch their party affiliation if they designate and agree to the change in writing. The change is intended to prevent issues for residents renewing their driver’s licenses.
According to Florida Politics, some voters in Florida have had their party affiliation switched without their knowledge thanks to a “glitch” in the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ software.
As a result, the new law requires that the DHSMV ensures its “technology process and updates do not alter an applicant’s party affiliation without the written consent of the applicant.”
HB 141 — Economic Development
TOOK EFFECT JULY 1
House Bill 141 eliminates several requirements related to the Regional Rural Development Grants Program.
That program is meant to help rural communities use their resources to attract new businesses into their areas.
Under HB 141, the following changes will take place:
- Removes requirements for grant funds received by a regional development organization to be matched each year by nonstate resources in an amount of 25% of state contributions
- Removes the requirement for local governments and private businesses to make financial or in-kind commitments to the regional organization
- Removes the requirement that the Florida Department of Commerce consider the demonstrated need of the applicant for assistance when approving participants for the program
HB 149 — Continuing Contracts
TOOK EFFECT JULY 1
House Bill 149 increases the limit for continuing contracts covered by the Consultants’ Competitive Negotiation Act (CCNA).
The CCNA was passed in 1973, and it requires state and local governments to procure services from professionals like architects and engineers on the basis of qualifications rather than just price.
In addition, the CCNA doesn’t prohibit continuing contracts, which are contracts where a hired firm provides services on several projects.
This law ups the maximum threshold for continuing contracts under the CCNA from an estimated per-project construction cost of $4 million to $7.5 million (plus an annual increase based on the CPI).
HB 151 — Florida Retirement System
TOOK EFFECT JULY 1
House Bill 151 amends the state statutes regarding the Florida Retirement System.
Starting later this year, retirees who have been “terminated” can be reemployed by any employer that is part of the state’s retirement system.
They can also receive retirement benefits and compensation from the employer, though these retirees may not receive both a salary from the employer and retirement benefits during the six months after they begin retirement.
HB 159 — HIV Infection Prevention Drugs
TOOK EFFECT JULY 1
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.
HB 179 — Towing and Storage Practices
TOOK EFFECT JULY 1
House Bill 179 addresses practices by towing-storage operators in the state.
These changes include the following:
- Counties that have set maximum towing/storage rates are required to post those rates on the respective county’s website.
- Towing-storage operators must send lien notices within five days after storing a towed vehicle — down from seven days.
- Older models of unclaimed vehicles may not be sold within 35 days after being stored by a towing-storage operator. For newer models, that figure is instead 57 days.
- Towing-storage operators must accept documents like an electronic title, paper title, leasing contract or lender contract when it comes to a person’s interest in a vehicle.
- Towing-storage operators must allow the inspection and release of a vehicle within one hour after the owner, lienholder, or insurance representative presents the specified documents during normal business hours at the site where the vehicle is stored.
- Towing-storage operators must accept payment for accrued charges via at least two of the following lists:
- cash, cashier’s check, money order or traveler’s check
- Bank, debit or credit card
- Mobile payment service, digital wallet or other electronic payment system
HB 187 — Antisemitism
TOOK EFFECT JULY 1
House Bill 187 defines the term “antisemitism” under state law.
While the term “anti-Semitism” already exists under Florida statutes, HB 187 defines “antisemitism” as follows:
“...A certain perception of Jewish individuals which may be expressed as hatred toward such individuals. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish and non-Jewish individuals and their property toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”
HB 187
Examples of “antisemitism” under this law include calling for the deaths of or stereotyping Jewish people. It also includes examples like Holocaust denial.
HB 191 — Town of Orchid
TOOK EFFECT MAY 17
House Bill 191 refers to the town of Orchid in Indian River County.
Under state law, local governments are required to hold public meetings within their jurisdictions — unless they have a population of 500 people or fewer.
Orchid — with a population of 531 as of last year — doesn’t have any meeting facilities in its boundaries, so it’s been holding public meetings at a local privately owned golf club instead.
As such, this law provides an exception under state statutes to allow Orchid to hold such meetings within five miles of its boundaries.
HB 197 — Massage Parlors
TOOK EFFECT JULY 1
House Bill 197 aims to combat human trafficking in the state that channels through illicit massage parlors.
Under the law, the state Department of Health would be required to issue an emergency suspension of a massage therapist or establishment’s license if any employee at the business is arrested on charges related to kidnapping, human trafficking or prostitution.
In addition, the law will explicitly prohibit any kind of sexual activity within a massage business.
HB 201 — Emergency Insulin Refills
TOOK EFFECT JULY 1
If a pharmacist is unable to obtain authorization from a prescriber for a prescription insulin refill, the pharmacist may instead provide an emergency refill to treat diabetes mellitus, House Bill 201 states.
However, pharmacists may not do this more than three “nonconsecutive times” each year, the text reads.
HB 215 — Risk Retention Groups
TOOK EFFECT JULY 1
House Bill 215 lets motor vehicle coverage issued by a risk retention group (RRG) satisfy financial requirements under the state’s motor vehicle law.
RRGs are a type of liability insurance company owned by its members. They usually let businesses with similar insurance needs pool their risks under state and federal laws.
HB 217 — College Campuses in Critical Areas
TOOK EFFECT JULY 1
House Bill 217 deals with college campus facilities in areas of “critical state concern,” such as the Florida Keys.
As of this bill’s signing, the College of the Florida Keys is the only Florida College System institution located within such an area.
Under this law, healthcare workers may be housed in the college’s dorms, adding to other non-student professions like college employees, educators, and first responders.
In addition, the law increases the maximum number of non-student beds in these dorms to 50 — up from 25.
HB 241 — Skin Cancer Screenings
TOOK EFFECT JULY 1
House Bill 241 addresses coverage of skin cancer screenings under the state’s employee health coverage.
This law requires the state group health insurance plan to provide coverage for annual skin cancer screenings, and the plan is prohibited from imposing a deductible, copayment, coinsurance or other cost-sharing requirement for coverage.
The Department of Management Services will need to implement the benefit elective by Jan. 1, 2025.
Meanwhile, the law also prohibits the plan from bundling payments for skin cancer screenings with any other procedure or service, such as evaluations or management visits.
HB 267 — Building Regulations
TAKES EFFECT JAN. 1, 2025
House Bill 267 amends the state’s building code.
More specifically, the bill implements set time limits for local governments to either approve or deny permit applications.
In addition, the bill makes the following changes:
- Local governments must create auditing standards before auditing a private provider.
- Completing an internship program for residential building inspectors is a pathway for licensure as a residential building inspector.
- Sealed drawings will not be required for replacements of windows, doors or garage doors in certain homes so long as they meet state standards.
HB 271 — Parking on Private Property
TOOK EFFECT JULY 1
House Bill 271 establishes new rules for private parking facilities in the state.
Under this law, parking facilities are required to clearly post their rules and rates at the entrance of lots.
Furthermore, a 15-minute grace period is established for drivers who enter such a lot but don’t actually park.
The law also prohibits the owners and operators of these parking facilities from selling the personal information of customers parked there.
HB 273 — Public Records (Animal Adoptions)
TOOK EFFECT JUNE 21
House Bill 273 creates a public records exemption for the personal information of people who adopt or foster pets from shelters or humane societies.
That exemption is subject to the state’s Open Government Sunset Review Act, meaning it will be repealed on Oct. 2, 2029 unless reenacted by the Legislature.
HB 275 — “Critical Infrastructure” Crimes
TOOK EFFECT JULY 1
House Bill 275 aims to create new offenses under state law involving critical infrastructure.
“Critical infrastructure” in the bill refers to linear assets that are designed to exclude unauthorized people, such as fences, no-trespassing signs, generators, energy plants, or TV stations.
Under this bill, damaging, accessing or tampering with critical infrastructure could result in both criminal and civil penalties.
HB 285 - Public Record Exemptions
TOOK EFFECT MAY 6
House Bill 285 amends state statutes regarding recording notification services.
Under the bill, there is a public record exemption for emails, phone numbers, business names and parcel ID numbers that have been submitted for the registration of a recording notification service.
Instead, such information will be kept confidential from the public except under court order, which could potentially help tamp down on title fraud.
HB 287 — Transportation
TOOK EFFECT JULY 1
House Bill 287 addresses several issues related to transportation in the state, primarily as it relates to FDOT and the DHSMV.
For example, the law limits the amount of fuel tax revenues and motor vehicle license-related fees that can be spent on public transit projects.
Other changes include the following:
- Requires the DHSMV to annually review major traffic law changes each year so that driving course content can be modified accordingly
- Motor vehicles used for the performance of work on an FDOT road/bridge project must be registered in compliance with state standards
- Amends provisions related to funding a fire station along the Alligator Alley toll road
- Amends provisions that a property owner’s right of first refusal for property that FDOT acquired but later determined is no longer needed for a transportation facility
HB 293 — Hurricane Protections for HOAs
TOOK EFFECT MAY 28
House Bill 293 improves hurricane protections for homeowners’ associations.
Under this law, HOAs must adopt hurricane protection specifications for each structure governed by the HOA. Those specifications can include factors like the color and style of hurricane protection products.
Additionally, HOAs are prohibited from denying applications to install or replace hurricane protection by a parcel owner — just so long as it conforms with the HOA’s adopted specifications.
According to the Legislative Analysis, “hurricane protection” includes roof systems; permanent fixed or roll-down track storm shutters; impact-resistant windows and doors; polycarbonate panels; reinforced garage doors; erosion controls; exterior fixed generators; and fuel storage tanks.
HB 303 — Rabies Vaccinations
TOOK EFFECT JULY 1
House Bill 303 allows agents of a local animal control authority or sheriff’s office to administer rabies vaccinations.
To do so, the agent must be supervised by a veterinarian, and the vaccines may be provided to impounded dogs, cats and ferrets that are set to be adopted or fostered.
However, the veterinarian won’t have to be physically present — the veterinarian would only be required to be available for consultation via telecommunications.
HB 305 — Offenses Involving Children
TOOK EFFECT JULY 1
House Bill 305 amends state statutes involving hearsay exceptions.
While hearsay is generally inadmissible in court, some exceptions to the rule apply under the law, such as when child victims under the age of 16 make statements involving child abuse, sexual abuse of a child, or neglect.
Under this law, the age at which this hearsay exception applies is raised to 17 years old.
HB 321 — Releasing Balloons
TOOK EFFECT JULY 1
House Bill 321 prevents Florida residents from releasing balloons into the atmosphere.
According to the law, people are not be allowed to intentionally release — or cause someone else to release — a balloon “inflated with a gas that is lighter than air.”
A few exceptions to the rule are as follows:
- If a balloon is released on behalf of a government agency for scientific or meteorological purposes
- Hot-air balloons if they’re recovered after launching
- Balloons released indoors
- The person who releases the balloon is 6 years old or younger
Under the law, violations are treated as littering and could be penalized as such.
HB 341 — SAFE Act
TOOK EFFECT OCT. 1
House Bill 341 — dubbed the “Safeguarding American Families Everywhere Act” (SAFE) — involves motor vehicle registration in the state.
In particular, the law requires 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 353 — Alternative Headquarters for District Court Judges
TOOK EFFECT JULY 1
House Bill 353 amends the state statutes regarding the district courts of appeal in Florida.
The changes allow for a district court of appeal judge to work at a courthouse in an adjacent county from where they live, provided it’s within the same district.
Before, these judges would be required to live within the same county as the courthouse.
If such a judge lives in an adjacent county, this legislation could provide possible reimbursement for the judge’s travel expenses between their official headquarters and the headquarters of the appellate district.
HB 357 — Veterans Appreciation Month
TOOK EFFECT JULY 1
House Bill 357 replaces “Veterans Week,” instead designating the entirety of November as “Veterans Appreciation Month.”
HB 377 — Vehicles for Hire
TOOK EFFECT JULY 1
House Bill 377 establishes new rules for “vehicles for hire” — motor vehicles used to transport people or goods for compensation.
Some local governments in the state require a permit or license when operating one of these vehicles, such as taxis, jitneys, limousines and rental cars.
Under this law, local governments would be prohibited from requiring vehicles for hire to obtain an additional license or permit if they already have one from another county or municipality.
However, this rule only applies if the person holds an active license in a county/municipality where they live and if the person hasn’t had their license revoked within the past five years. This doesn’t apply to public-use airports or seaports.
HB 379 — State Contract Public Records
TOOK EFFECT JULY 1
House Bill 379 creates a public record exemption for prospective bidders on state projects.
Under current state law, to prequalify for bidding on a Florida Department of Transportation construction project, contractors must be able to prove their financial health.
HB 379 exempts the financial information necessary to verify a prospective bidder’s financial adequacy from public disclosure.
However, this exemption will be automatically repealed on Oct. 2, 2029 thanks to the Open Government Sunset Review Act — unless it’s reenacted by lawmakers.
HB 385 — Safe Exchange of Children
TOOK EFFECT JULY 1
House Bill 385 sets rules for parents of a common child.
Specifically, the law requires each sheriff to designate at least one parking lot for parents of a common child to safely exchange the child.
These parking lots must include a purple light or signage and have a camera surveillance system to improve security.
HB 389 — Highway Designations
TOOK EFFECT JULY 1
House Bill 389 creates 17 designations for various transportation facilities across the state at the following locations: