TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – With the legislative year nearing its conclusion, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is wrapping up his duties by endorsing a slew of new bills. To date, he has signed more than 170 legislative measures into law.
On Friday, the Governor added a few more laws to the list, many of which are scheduled to be implemented in the coming month. As the state prepares for these changes, the focus remains on understanding the impact and implications of these new laws.
Among the most recent additions is Senate Bill 298, which addresses public records related to domestic violence. This particular legislation broadens the existing exemptions for victims involved in Florida’s confidentiality program, aiming to enhance privacy and protection for those affected by domestic violence.
As Floridians await the enactment of these laws, the state’s legal landscape continues to evolve, reflecting the administration’s ongoing legislative agenda.
Senate Bill 298 expands two existing public record exemptions for victims of domestic violence who participate in the state’s confidentiality program.
The law takes effect on July 1.
HB 625 — JAC Members
House Bill 625 increases the number of the Justice Administrative Commission from four to seven.
The law takes effect on July 1.
HB 655 — Public Records (Attorney Meetings)
House Bill 655 creates a public meeting exemption for state and local agencies to meet privately with their attorneys under the Bert Harris Act.
More specifically, the law exempts the meeting’s transcripts from public disclosure until the relevant property-rights claim is settled (or when the statute of limitations ends, if there’s no litigation).
The law takes effect on July 1.
SB 820 — Problem-Solving Court Reports
Senate Bill 820 specifies additional data that must be presented in the annual problem-solving court reports prepared by the Office of the State Courts Administrator.
The law creates data reporting requirements for early childhood court and veterans treatment court programs, and amends reporting requirements for mental health and drug courts.
The law takes effect on July 1.
HB 1293 — Fraudulent Entry of Homes
House Bill 1293 creates a new crime of fraudulent entry of a residential dwelling unit.
This statute prohibits someone from entering into or taking possession of a residential dwelling unit by purposefully:
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Making a materially false statement in writing, relating to the person’s identity in any rental application for a residential tenancy
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Presenting forged or counterfeit documents to the landlord of a residential dwelling unit
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Impersonating another person in whose name a rental application is submitted to a landlord for the purpose of executing a rental agreement or taking possession of a residential dwelling unit
Violations of this law are punishable as third-degree felonies.
The law takes effect on Oct. 1.
SB 1690 — Early Learning Services
Senate Bill 1690 makes several statutory changes relating to early childhood education and childcare regulation.
For example, the law requires the DCF and local licensing agencies to disseminate electronically certain information regarding all childcare facilities to the community.
The law takes effect on July 1.
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