Next month, 34 new Florida laws are set to go into effect.
More specifically, all of those laws will take effect on Oct. 1 after being passed by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis earlier this year.
Recommended Videos
In July, nearly 200 other laws from the 2024 Legislative Session went into effect. The new slew of legislation will cover issues like crime, state license plates, and public record exemptions.
Below is a full list, compiled by News4JAX’s sister station WKMG, of the laws taking effect in October:
HB 341 — SAFE Act
House Bill 341 — dubbed the “Safeguarding American Families Everywhere Act” (SAFE) — involves motor vehicle registration in the state.
In particular, the law will require that motor vehicle registration applications include a section to let applicants voluntarily indicate whether they have — or whether they’re the legal guardian of a child who has — one of the following disabilities:
- autism
- attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- down syndrome
- Alzheimer’s disease
- traumatic brain injury
- PTSD
- diabetes
- autoimmune disorder
- deafness/blindness
Applicants who indicate a diagnosis for one of these disabilities can have the designation “SAFE” applied to their motor vehicle record, though that could be updated for removal at any time.
HB 403 — New License Plates
House Bill 403 introduces new specialty license plates for Florida drivers.
Some of these new license plates — at an annual use fee of $25 — include:
- Margaritaville
- Clearwater Marine Aquarium
- The Villages
- Recycle Florida
- Universal Orlando
For a full list of license plates introduced under this bill, click here.
HB 479 — Alternative Mobility
House Bill 479 defines “mobility fee” and “mobility plan” for the state’s Community Planning Act.
HB 509 – Collier Mosquito Control District
House Bill 509 revises the boundaries of the Collier Mosquito Control District.
The special district is responsible for cutting down on local mosquito populations, though this law expands its boundaries and allows it to service a broader area.
HB 549 – Theft Crimes
House Bill 549 cracks down on theft crimes in Florida.
Under this law, penalties for retail theft become much harsher, and new punishments are laid out for porch pirates.
In addition, the law goes after “smash-and-grab” thefts: incidents where a group of people enters a store, “overwhelms” employees and steals merchandise. If caught in a smash-and-grab theft, offenders can face felony charges.
HB 801 – Alzheimer’s Training for Law Enforcement
House Bill 801 requires the FDLE to set up online employee training related to Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
The training must be developed in consultation with the Department of Elder Affairs and teach how to interact with people who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. This training includes instruction on techniques for:
- recognizing behavioral symptoms and characteristics.
- effective communication.
- employing alternatives to using physical restraints.
- identifying signs of abuse, neglect or exploitation.
HB 819 — Lehigh Acres Municipal Services Improvement District
House Bill 819 addresses the Lehigh Acres Municipal Services Improvement District, which is responsible for public infrastructure in parts of Lee and Hendry counties.
This bill expands the boundaries of the special district, which is expected to increase revenues for the district.
HB 1007 — Nicotine Dispensing Devices
House Bill 1007 allows the state Attorney General to create a directory of all nicotine manufacturers selling dispensers that are deemed to be “attractive to minors.”
Under this law, businesses are prohibited from selling such nicotine dispensers, and retailers that already have one such dispenser will have 60 days to remove the product.
If they don’t, these businesses can be fined $1,000 per day that they continue to offer such a dispenser.
HB 1025 — Municipal Service District of Ponte Vedra Beach
House Bill 1025 addresses the Municipal Service District of Ponte Vedra Beach in St. Johns County, which is responsible for providing certain community services.
Under this law, term limits for Trustees receive a lifetime limit of 12 years.
In addition, the law increases the threshold for capital projects that require voter approval.
HB 1049 — Flood Disclosure in the Sale of Real Property
House Bill 1049 aims to require residential property sellers to provide a flood disclosure to a buyer.
This disclosure would have to be provided by the time the sales contract is executed, and it would need to have the following details:
- The form’s title must be labeled “FLOOD DISCLOSURE.”
- A flood insurance policy disclaimer must be provided stating, “Flood Insurance: Homeowners’ insurance policies do not include coverage for damage resulting from floods. Buyer is encouraged to discuss the need to purchase separate flood insurance coverage with Buyer’s insurance agent.”
- The seller must state whether he or she has filed a claim with an insurance provider relating to flood damage on the property.
- The seller must state whether he or she has received federal assistance for flood damage to the property.
HB 1171 — Schemes to Defraud
House Bill 1171 amends the state rules regarding fraud offenses.
The law reclassifies certain fraud cases that are committed against those 65 years old or above, minors, or people with a mental/physical disability.
Under the law, such offenses will face steeper penalties, with first-degree misdemeanors being upgraded to third-degree felonies and first-degree felonies being upgraded to a life felony.
In addition, the law allows anyone whose image was used in a fraud scheme to recover any damages caused due to the use of their image in the scheme.
HB 1235 — Sexual Predators and Offenders
House Bill 1235 amends Florida’s Sexual Predators Act and state statutes regarding sexual offenders.
Many of these changes update how sexual predators and offenders register with the state, as well as crack down on predators/offenders who fail to follow these rules.
For example, this law requires predators/offenders to report any plans to move out of the state at least 48 hours before doing so, or 21 days before traveling outside the U.S.
In addition, sex predators who don’t respond to address verification correspondence from their local law enforcement agency within a given period can face a third-degree felony charge.
HB 1365 — Public Camping and Sleeping
House Bill 1365 prohibits county governments from allowing people to regularly camp or sleep on public properties, buildings, or rights of way — unless the county designates a property for that purpose.
If a county chooses to do so, the designated property may then be used for public camping or sleeping for up to one year.
However, the county will also be responsible for establishing standards for safety, security, sanitation, mental health services and substance abuse services, as well as prohibiting illegal substances and alcohol use. Exemptions under this law include certain emergency declarations.
HB 1389 — Digital Voyeurism
House Bill 1389 amends state rules regarding video voyeurism — redubbed “digital voyeurism” — in Florida.
Under the law, penalties are now upgraded for those who either engage in digital voyeurism or distribute such materials.
Those penalties are strengthened even further if the offender is over 19 years old and either a family member of the victim or someone who “holds a position of authority” with the victim.
HB 1415 — Peer Support for First Responders
House Bill 1415 amends state statutes regarding peer support for first responders in Florida.
Under those statutes, first responders who use peer support to help deal with traumatic events he/she is exposed to have a right to confidentiality for communications between the first responder and his/her peer.
This law further includes correctional officers and correctional probation officers as first responders entitled to the same confidentiality benefits as other first responders.