Over a Dozen New Laws Take Effect in Florida Today

Over a dozen new laws officially took effect across Florida today, covering issues that range from consumer protections and housing disclosures to tougher criminal penalties and restrictions on new technology.

Housing is a prime focus of the new laws, which includes Senate Bill 948. This law requires property owners and landlords to disclose whether a home, condo, or mobile home has previously sustained flood damage or flood insurance claims, or if it has been subject to evacuation orders. Supporters say the measure will provide transparency for renters and buyers in flood-prone regions.

Additionally, Senate Bill 1080 speeds up timelines for zoning and development applications, requiring local governments to act more quickly on land-use proposals, and House Bill 703 establishes clearer procedures for the relocation of utility lines during construction projects, a move aimed at reducing disputes and delays between developers, municipalities, and utility companies.

Moreover, several laws taking effect today expand penalties for crimes and enhance protections for victims:

• Senate Bill 1804 targets human trafficking. It authorizes the death penalty in certain cases involving the trafficking of vulnerable victims, including children.
• House Bill 687, known as Trenton’s Law, stiffens penalties for repeat DUI and boating under the influence convictions. It also increases punishment for drivers who refuse sobriety testing and are later convicted of manslaughter while impaired.
• House Bill 113 raises penalties for fleeing and eluding law enforcement.
• House Bill 253 criminalizes the impersonation of police officers, the use of devices to block traffic cameras, and the concealment of license plates.
• Senate Bill 150, also called Trooper’s Law, makes it a felony to leave a pet chained outside during declared disasters such as hurricanes. The measure is named after a dog found abandoned during Hurricane Irma.
• House Bill 1049 strengthens penalties for those who harass or threaten judges and prosecutors, a measure lawmakers say is aimed at protecting the integrity of the judicial system.

Lawmakers also advanced a series of measures aimed at addressing emerging crimes in the digital age:

• House Bill 757 makes it a felony to produce or distribute sexually explicit “deepfake” images, targeting nonconsensual use of artificial intelligence in pornography and lewd content.
• House Bill 777 expands the definition of luring children online and imposes stronger penalties on offenders.
• House Bill 1455 establishes mandatory minimum prison terms for sexual felonies.
• House Bill 1351 requires registered sexual predators to undergo more frequent verification.
• Senate Bill 1168 bans the criminal use of GPS trackers and other tracking devices.
• House Bill 1121, which places new restrictions on drone.

With so many new laws taking effect, Floridians are seeing changes that touch everything from housing transparency and consumer protections to criminal penalties and digital privacy. Which of these measures do you support most, and which do you think will have the biggest impact on daily life in the Sunshine State? Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation about Florida’s evolving legal landscape.