TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A wave of new legislation will take hold in Florida starting Jan. 1, 2025, bringing significant changes on topics ranging from social media use among minors to the protection of vulnerable adults from financial abuses. Governor Ron DeSantis and state lawmakers, who passed more than 200 state laws during the 2024 legislative session, have set these 12 additional laws to commence in the new year.
One notable law, House Bill 3, imposes stringent regulations on social media access for children. Specifically, it prohibits children under the age of 14 from opening social media accounts and requires parental consent for users aged 14 and 15. The definition of “social media” under this law includes platforms where content can be uploaded for viewing by others, platforms predominantly used by minors, algorithm-driven content delivery, and certain addictive features such as infinite scrolling and push notifications.
Another significant legislative measure, House Bill 135, addresses voter registration processes. The bill mandates that changes to a voter’s party affiliation must be made in writing, a move aimed at preventing unintentional switches during processes like driver’s license renewals—a problem previously reported due to glitches in the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ software.
Building regulations also received updates under House Bill 267, which sets definitive time limits for local governments to approve or deny building permit applications. The law also adjusts requirements for auditing private providers and introduces a residential building inspector licensure path that includes completing an internship program.
In fiscal regulations, House Bill 1093 introduces the Florida Uniform Fiduciary Income and Principal Act, which updates standards governing the distribution of estates and trusts. This act modernizes investment principles for trusts and allows for more tailored estate planning, enhancing flexibility for tax and estate planners.
Additionally, public records laws are tightened through House Bill 1491, which offers public record exemptions during investigations by the Department of Legal Affairs. This change protects personal identifying information, computer forensic reports, data security details, and proprietary information from public release until the conclusion of an investigation.
Further voter-directed changes come with House Bill 7017 and House Bill 7019, which cement statutory adaptations following the voter-approved Amendment 5 in the 2024 General Election. This amendment adjusts property tax calculations, aiming to reduce the tax burden on Florida homeowners with a homestead exemption.
The safety and welfare of first responders are also addressed in new laws. Senate Bill 184 creates first-degree misdemeanors for actions that threaten or interfere with first responders’ duties, enhancing protections for these critical community members.
On the healthcare front, Senate Bill 362 raises the caps on medical reimbursements and expert witness fees under Florida’s Workers Compensation Law, a move likely to impact medical practice economics throughout the state.
Focusing on the protection of seniors and vulnerable adults, Senate Bill 556 enlarges safeguards against financial exploitation. This includes provisions allowing financial institutions to delay transactions suspected of being exploitative and requires notifying relevant parties and regulatory bodies, enhancing oversight and response times to potential abuse.
Other changes include new standards for dental insurance claims under Senate Bill 892, prohibiting certain restrictive payment methods and ensuring that authorized procedures are not arbitrarily denied by insurers.
Senate Bill 7054 revises regulations around private activity bonds, crucial for financing publicly beneficial projects. This law aims to maximize their use by simplifying and expediting the bond allocation process and expanding their applicability.
These legislative changes signal Florida’s commitment to adapting and refining state laws to address current social, economic, and technological challenges effectively.
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