FLORIDA, USA — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed 12 bills into law Thursday. Here’s what they are:

Also known as “Trenton’s Law,” this bill will create stiffer penalties for repeat offenders of vehicular homicide and DUI manslaughter in Florida. The law is named after a graduate of Creekside High in St. Johns County, who was killed by a wrong-way driver in 2023. Under the new law, offenses will be treated as first degree felony, instead of a second degree — doubling the maximum sentence to 30 years.

This bill specifies that correctional probation officers have the right to carry concealed firearms during off-duty hours at the discretion of superiors and authorizes correctional probation officers to perform certain law enforcement functions under limited circumstances. It specifies that correctional probation officer’s appointing or employing agency or department can limit the officer from carrying concealed firearms during off-duty hours and revises exemptions from the mandatory waiting period between purchase and delivery of firearm. 

This bill concerns utility relocation. In short, it sets up a $50 million grant program to help utility companies pay for moving their equipment when required by state or local infrastructure projects. 

It requires the Department of Revenue to transfer a portion of the Communications Services Tax revenue each month to the Department of Commerce. It creates a new program within the DOC to help cover the costs associated with relocating utilities and allows service providers to apply for reimbursement if they have to move their infrastructure due to roadwork or other government projects. More information can be found here. 

This bill requires FDLE, in cooperation with specified agencies, to establish and implement “Spectrum Alert,” by developing a training program and alert system for missing children with autism spectrum disorder which is compatible with existing alert systems. It also specifies requirements for the training program. $190,000 will be appropriated for the bill.

This bill requires the Division of State Fire Marshal with DFS to adopt certain rules, requires the division to assist in decreasing the  frequency of fatalities, and requires the division to adopt rules “relating to education on chemical hazards or toxic substances and mental health best practices.”

The legislation updates how tax collectors carry out DHSMV tasks, changes some rules around issuing vehicle and driver credentials, and adjusts the rules for taking away a person’s right to drive.

This law provides criminal penalties for people who knowingly and willfully threaten specified court personnel, knowingly and willfully harass specified court personnel, as well as for other actions tampering with court officials.

This bill revises provisions related to administrator management, authorizes individuals under contract with home health agency to provide specified services and revises Excellence in Home Health Program criteria requirements.

This law expands actions subject to the “Florida Vexatious Litigant Law,” which concerns the act of repeatedly abusing the judicial process for personal gain, like lawsuits believed to be frivolous or malicious. It revises sanctions and remedies for vexatious litigation and prohibits clerks of court from accepting certain filings from “vexatious litigants.”

This law provides space and seating requirements for special alcoholic beverage licenses to event centers, providing exceptions to the general law and explains boundaries where this law will apply.

This law primarily revises the Leon County Sheriff’s Office Career Services Employees’ Act. It clarifies the Sheriff’s powers in personnel decisions and makes other changes regarding the sheriff’s office, including guidelines for the transition to a new sheriff.

This law limits how much Leon County must pay non-contracted medical and emergency transport providers for treating or transporting inmates at the county detention center.