In the last several months, Gov. Ron DeSantis has been busy signing dozens of bills that were passed during this year’s legislative session. On Monday, more than 150 bills signed by the governor will go into effect. Although it has been a hot topic of debate, the law banning children under 14 in Florida from having social media accounts will not go in effect until Jan. 1, 2025. Here are some of the most notable laws going into effect July 1st:
Education
- HB 931: Authorizes school districts to allow volunteer school chaplains. The only requirements for a chaplain to participate would be passing a background check and having their name and religious affiliation listed on the school website.
- SB 1264: Adds the history of communism to be required instruction in public schools starting in the 2026-2027 school year. The new law requires instruction on communism for students in grades as young as kindergarten, though the lessons must be “age appropriate and developmentally appropriate” while covering certain topics.
- HB 1291: Prevents “identity politics” from being included in college and university teacher-preparation programs.
- SB 7032: Provides tuition and fee waivers for high-school dropouts who pursue diplomas and workforce credentials at state colleges.
Property Laws
- HB 1021: Also known as “Condo 3.0,” this law was intended to give more rights to condo owners. Not only does it impose education requirements on board members, but it also requires more condo communities to set up web pages for members, making it harder for boards to stifle dissent, and gives the state more power to investigate abuses.
- HB 1503: Allows what are known as “surplus lines” carriers to take out some non-homesteaded properties from the state’s Citizens Property Insurance Corp.
Nature & Climate
- HB 87: This bill provides a sort of stand-your-ground defense for people who shoot bears to defend themselves or property.
- HB 1645: Climate change will be a lesser priority in Florida and largely disappear from state statutes under this legislation.
Parenting Laws
- HB 385: Gives courts the power to require parents to use “neutral safe exchange” locations at sheriffs’ offices when they share custody of children.
- HB 415: Florida families are set to have more resources when it comes to pregnancy and parenting, thanks to a new website that will launch by 2025.
- HB 461: New moms will no longer have to report for jury duty under this new law.
Teens & Young Adults
- HB 49: This bill will ease decades-old regulations on the hours that 16- and 17-year-old Floridians can work.
- HB 7063: This measure prevents anyone under 21 from working as a stripper and sets other laws in an effort to further crack down on human trafficking in the state.
Health & Safety
- SB 544: Requires the Department of Health to establish a network of providers to participate in a swimming-lesson voucher program.
Law Enforcement
- HB 601: This measure will prevent investigations of local law-enforcement officers by civilian review boards and prohibit “harassment” of first responders who are on duty.
- SB 1764: This law targets “coordinated” events where 10 or more vehicles are involved in street takeovers.
Politics
- HB 919: As access to artificial intelligence continues to expand, lawmakers considered issues such as the use of the technology in political advertising. This measure requires political ads that contain “images, video, audio, graphics, or other digital content” created using artificial intelligence to include a disclaimer.
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