Starting Tuesday, July 1, over 100 new laws will come into effect in the state of Florida, as part of one of the most comprehensive and varied legislative packages signed by Governor Ron DeSantis in recent years.
The following outlines more than 60 key provisions covering areas such as public safety, education, health, immigration, the environment, animal welfare, housing, state parks, and transportation, among others.
Public safety: Harsher penalties and new controls
HB 255 - Dexter Law: Creates a state database with the names of animal cruelty offenders and increases criminal penalties.
HB 593 - Pam Rock Law: Regulates the ownership of dangerous dogs, requires microchipping, sterilization, and liability insurance.
HB 279: Penalizes false emergency calls ("swatting") with up to 7 years in prison.
SB 612: Classifies the lethal distribution of drugs to minors as murder.
SB 1470: Requires increased security in schools, including the use of detection dogs.
HB 1053: Strengthens programs against child exploitation and care for retired police dogs.
HB 1099: Allows for not arresting individuals with serious medical conditions.
HB 383: Exempts police and military personnel from the waiting period to acquire firearms.
HB 351: Establishes the crime of "dangerous speeding" with imprisonment penalties.
SB 322: Facilitates the eviction of illegal occupants from commercial properties.
SB 606: Strengthens measures against disruptive guests in hotels.
SB 700: Allows the suspension of concealed carry licenses after an arrest.
HB 531: Requires disclosure of health provider background information.
Health and wellness
SB 1514: Requires schools to have epinephrine and emergency action plans for anaphylactic emergencies.
HB 597: Authorizes school treatment for children with diabetes and the storage of glucagon.
HB 1567: Allows family members to administer insulin.
HB 1195: Requires hospitals to detect the presence of fentanyl in overdoses.
SB 116: Expands suicide prevention for veterans.
HB 1299: Prohibits discrimination based on vaccination status.
HB 647: Authorizes certified nurses to issue death certificates.
HB 1089: Introduce mandatory screening for Duchenne muscular dystrophy starting in 2027.
SB 480: Allows agricultural organizations to offer medical benefits.
Education: content, safety, and new demands
SB 1070 - Second Chance Law: Requires electrocardiograms and medical evaluations for student-athletes.
HB 443: Charter schools will be able to establish their own codes of conduct.
HB 447: Mandatory education on disabilities every October.
HB 1105: Regulates the use of cell phones, promotes technical training, and adjusts diploma requirements.
HB 1237: Requires public schools to provide training on human trafficking.
HB 1255: Adjusts criteria for economic disadvantage and regulates corporal punishment.
HB 1607: Mandatory instruction in CPR and cardiac plans.
SB 296: Modifies the implementation of later school schedules.
SB 1402: Establishes metrics for academic recovery programs.
SB 994: Requires a traffic education course to obtain a driver's permit.
HB 711: Creates the "Spectrum Alert" for missing autistic children.
Immigration legislation
HB 915: Prohibits misleading advertising about immigration services by non-lawyers.
SB 830: Prohibits the use of makeshift boats for the transport of migrants.
Animal protection and social rights
HB 791: Authorizes the use of safe devices for the anonymous delivery of infants.
HB 809: Exempts school social workers from additional examinations.
HB 1353: Gives flexibility to health agencies to distribute staff functions.
Housing, urban planning, and public services
HB 913: Adjusts regulations in condominium associations to reduce costs and extend structural timelines.
HB 615: Legalizes electronic notices between tenants and landlords.
HB 797: Creates exclusive beds for veterans in nursing homes.
HB 1359 / SB 678: They are evaluating a database for pawn shops.
HB 1123: Authorizes the expansion of sewer networks with state funds.
Environment and natural resources
HB 209 - State Park Preservation Act: Prevents private developments such as hotels or golf courses in state parks.
SB 700 - Florida Agricultural Law: Prohibits water fluoridation, transportation of psychedelic spores, and regulates NGOs with foreign funding.
HB 735: Promotes clean seas and better public access to water.
HB 733: Incentivizes the recovery of contaminated land.
SB 582: Penalties for the unauthorized demolition of historic buildings.
HB 551: Accelerates permits to modify fire protection systems.
Justice, ethics, and technology
HB 1559: Strengthen penalties against abusive litigants.
SB 348: Penalizes frauds related to military service and public ethics.
SB 472: Grants licenses to inmates who complete training programs.
HB 901: Regulates the challenge to forensic psychologists in custody disputes.
HB 513: Digitizes urgent court orders.
SB 994: Reduces the payment timeframe for insurers for psychological services.
Transportation and public services
SB 867: Regulates the operation of commuter trains on the coast.
SB 940: Prohibits the resale of reservations at restaurants without consent.
Special days and symbols
HB 259: Declares August 21 as Fentanyl Awareness Day.
SB 356: Establishes January 27 as Holocaust Remembrance Day.
HB 549 / HB 575: Require the updating of school maps with the new name "Gulf of America."
HB 1313: Creates the "Florida Resilient" trust fund.
Nautical freedom and maritime regulation
SB 1388 - Freedom for Navigators Act: Prohibits the detention of vessels without probable cause and limits local actions against gasoline engines.
General impact
With a population of nearly 24 million people, including more than six million Hispanics, this new legislative framework could significantly impact daily life in the state.
While some measures have been hailed as progress in security, public health, and environmental protection, others have sparked controversy due to their implications for civil rights and local regulations.
It is estimated that measures against crime, educational improvements, and environmental controls could contribute to a higher quality of life and better governance.
The cumulative effect of these reforms will begin to be felt throughout the state starting this July 1, when this historic wave of legislation comes into effect.
Frequently Asked Questions about the New Laws in Florida
How many new laws will take effect in Florida on July 1, 2025?
More than 100 new laws will take effect in Florida on July 1, 2025, as part of a broad legislative package signed by Governor Ron DeSantis, covering various areas such as public safety, education, health, immigration, and more.
What measures have been taken regarding animal cruelty in Florida?
AHB 255, known as the "Dexter Law", has been implemented, which creates a state database for animal cruelty offenders and increases criminal penalties. Additionally, other related laws include harsher penalties for animal abuse during emergencies, thereby strengthening animal protection in the state.
How do the new laws affect immigration in Florida?
The new laws strengthen measures against illegal immigration, including harsher penalties for undocumented immigrants involved in criminal activities and cooperation between state security forces and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This stance aims to align state policies with federal guidelines on immigration.
What changes have been made in the educational sector with these new laws?
Significant reforms in education have been introduced, including the prohibition of cell phone use in primary and secondary schools, the requirement of traffic education courses to obtain driver’s licenses, and training on human trafficking. Furthermore, school schedules have been made more flexible, and diploma requirements have been adjusted.
What new regulations have been established for owners of dangerous dogs in Florida?
The "Pam Rock Act" establishes strict regulations for owners of dangerous dogs, including the requirement for microchipping, sterilization, liability insurance, and fines of up to $1,000 for violations. These measures aim to enhance owner responsibility and improve public safety.
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