List of new Florida laws taking effect October 1st – NBC 6 South Florida

Nearly three dozen new state laws take effect Tuesday in Florida, including a controversial measure that limits sleeping options for homeless people.

Other measures include creating a license plate for Parrot Heads, who live the life of late singer Jimmy Buffett, and flood disclosure requirements for homebuyers.

Most bills passed during this year’s legislative session took effect July 1, including the fiscal year 2024-2025 budget. But 34 of them go into effect on October 1, with the homeless amendments (HB 1365) drawing the most attention. See them all here.

10 laws you should know

• HB 1365: Prohibits public camping or sleeping on public property. Because of this measure, cities are working hard to find solutions to avoid fines and arrests and get their homeless people off the streets.
• HB 341: Allows an applicant for a motor vehicle registration to indicate that they have been diagnosed with a disability or disorder or that they are the parent or guardian of a child with a specified diagnosis
• HB 549: Makes it a third-degree felony to be part of a group of five or more people who overpower a merchant to commit retail theft.
• SB 718: Makes it a second-degree felony for anyone to possess fentanyl or similar drugs, causing first responders to suffer overdoses or serious injuries.
• SB 758: Amends laws governing the use of tracking devices and grants exemptions for police officers, parents of minors, caregivers of seniors and vehicle owners in certain circumstances.
• SB 86: Creates the Hope Card program for anyone granted a protective order. This is a digital or physical card that contains the name of the person who issued the order, the name of the person against whom the order was issued, and other details.
• SB 1036: Increases penalties for immigrants arrested for crimes after returning to the U.S. illegally after being deported for prior crimes.
• HB 1049: Requires disclosure of information to homebuyers, such as: Such as whether the properties suffered flood damage and notification that homeowners’ insurance policies do not include coverage for flood damage.
• HB 1389: Makes changes related to digital voyeurism, including increasing penalties for perpetrators who are at least 19 years old and are family members or in positions of authority over victims.
• HB 403: Creates several potential new license plates, including a “Margaritaville” plate – honoring Buffett – to benefit the SFC Charitable Foundation, Inc. Other potential new license plates include Universal Orlando Resort; “Support General Aviation;” “Recycle Florida.” “; “Boating Capital of the World”; and “The Villages: May all your dreams come true.”