New Year, New Laws in Florida
We have compiled a list of laws that have gone into effect as of 1/1/2025.
HB 3 – Social Media Restrictions for Children
House Bill 3 introduces new restrictions on social media use for children under 14, banning them from having accounts. Teens aged 14 and 15 can create accounts only with parental consent.
The law defines “social media” as platforms that:
- Allow users to upload or view shared content.
- Have at least 10% of daily users under 16 years old who spend a minimum of two hours daily on the platform over the past year.
- Use algorithms to analyze user data.
- Include addictive features such as infinite scrolling, push notifications, or personal interaction metrics.
Note: Part of this law has been put on hold, and we are waiting for a challenge in the Florida courts, expected in February 2025.
This law also requires platforms that contain adult content to verify users’ ages by having them upload documents such as driver’s licenses or personal photos.
HB 135 – Voter Registration Applications
House Bill 135 updates voter registration processes to address a recurring issue where party affiliations were inadvertently changed during driver’s license renewals.
Key changes include:
- Voters can only change their party affiliation with written consent.
- The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles must ensure its systems don’t alter party affiliations without explicit approval from the voter.
HB 267 – Building Regulations
House Bill 267 modifies Florida’s building codes to streamline permitting and inspections. The changes include:
- Local governments must decide on permit applications within set timeframes.
- Local governments must establish audit standards for private providers.
- Internships for residential building inspectors can now count as a pathway to licensure.
- Sealed drawings are no longer required for window, door, or garage door replacements in some homes if state standards are met.
HB 1093 – Florida Uniform Fiduciary Income and Principal Act
This bill modernizes trust and estate laws by replacing the Florida Uniform Principal and Income Act. Key updates include:
- Allowing trusts to adopt total-return investing.
- Enabling existing trusts to convert to ‘unitrusts’ for more tailored estate planning.
HB 1491 – Public Records (DLA Investigations)
House Bill 1491 creates public record exemptions for investigations by the Department of Legal Affairs (DLA). Information such as personal details, forensic reports, and proprietary data will remain confidential until October 2, 2029, unless reenacted.
HB 7017 & HB 7019 – Amendment 5 and Confirming Changes
These bills implement Amendment 5, approved by voters, to revise how property taxes are calculated for Florida homeowners with a homestead exemption. The change is designed to limit annual property tax increases.
SB 184 – Threatening First Responders
Senate Bill 184 makes it a first-degree misdemeanor to:
- Interrupt or impede first responders in their duties.
- Threaten physical harm to first responders.
- Harass or interfere with first responders while they perform their duties.
SB 362 – Medical Treatment Reimbursements in Worker’s Compensation
This bill raises the maximum reimbursement rates for physicians, surgical procedures, and expert witness fees under Florida’s Workers’ Compensation Law.
SB 556 – Protection from Financial Exploitation
Senate Bill 556 provides safeguards for adults 65 and older, as well as vulnerable individuals, against financial exploitation. Financial institutions can delay transactions if exploitation is suspected, but they must:
- Notify account holders and trusted contacts within three business days.
- Inform the Office of Financial Regulation.
- Complete an internal review of the situation.
- Resolve delays within 15 business days, with possible extensions of up to 30 days.
SB 892 – Dental Insurance Claims
This law brings several changes to dental insurance policies:
- Prohibits insurers from mandating specific payment methods without consent.
- Disallows fees for electronic payments unless explicitly agreed upon.
- It prevents insurers from denying claims for pre-authorized procedures.
SB 7054 – Private Activity Bonds
Senate Bill 7054 revises the rules for private activity bonds, which fund public-interest projects. Changes include:
- Consolidating unused bond pools to improve efficiency.
- Allowing broader carry-forward usage for volume caps.
- Streamlining timelines for bond allocation and use.
These updates reflect Florida’s efforts to modernize laws, streamline processes, and protect its residents.
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