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    Here are the new laws starting Monday in Florida

    By Forrest Saunders,

    22 days ago
    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2DgTvn_0u9opQoq00

    Loosened child labor laws, religious chaplains in public schools and bad news for Florida bears— that's just a few of the new laws coming online Monday.

    According to legislative records, there are at least 182 new laws set to take effect. Here are a few highlights:

    CS/CS/HB 49: Employment

    Get ready to work — though scaled back from its original pitch. Florida's new child labor law takes effect Monday. On holidays and Sundays, 16 and 17-year-olds can work longer hours. Restrictions are relaxed even further for virtual and homeschooled students.

    Critics worry about safety and education slipping, while supporters, like Florida 16-year-old Jackson Lowe, told us it meant more experience and money.

    "It would just give me a lot more opportunity and proof to my bosses that I can do stuff," Lowe said. "And there are a lot of restrictions that I can't do at my job."

    CS/CS/HB 433: Employment Regulations

    Thirsty for more? That new law giving the state control of heat breaks for workers takes effect. Though Florida has no policy on the books, the law prevents cities and counties from creating their own, wiping out a water and rest requirement that was underway in Miami-Dade County.

    It was something the governor felt was too extreme when we asked about it last April.

    "I don't think it was an issue in any other part of the state," Gov. Ron DeSantis said. "They were pursuing something that was going to cause a lot of problems down there."

    HB 931: School Chaplains

    Florida will also get volunteer chaplains to counsel students at public and charter schools. The chaplains would have to disclose their religion, and services, plus pass a background check. Students have to get permission from their parents.

    Backers have said they're adding support options for kids. Critics, like Florida State Sen. Shevrin Jones, D-Miami Gardens, told us the line between church and state was blurring.

    "I think so," said Jones in April. "I don't know, but I know they will have a lawsuit waiting from some of these groups if they did do that."

    The Satanic Temple, which has tax-exempt church status, said it "looks forward" to participating. TST is actually more of a civil rights advocacy group that's focused on making a point about what it sees as religious intrusions into American politics. The members don't worship Satan despite embracing the symbol as a rebellious icon.

    CS/HB 919: Artificial Intelligence Use in Political Advertising

    HB 919 requires political ads with AI-made images, video or audio showing something that didn't happen — have a disclaimer noting as much. The acknowledgment has to be a certain size and length, plus there are penalties for violators. Those violations include civil fines, even a first-degree misdemeanor charge, which carries a penalty of up to a year in jail.

    CS/HB 87: Taking of Bears

    Finally, what some have dubbed the "Stand Your Ground Against Bears" law will begin July 1. It clears a legal pathway for someone to use deadly force against a bear if they, their pet or property are at risk. People cannot deliberately put themselves in harm's way and any use of force needs to be reported to FWC within 24 hours.

    Supporters have said it’s all about safety. State Sen. Corey Simon, R-Tallahassee, was among those backing the bill during the legislative session.

    "Last year alone, Franklin County fielded 1,000 calls related to bear-related issues," Simon said. "It's truly a pervasive problem in this district."

    However, critics like Katrina Shadix from the conservation group Bear Warriors United were skeptical and even fearful of the change. She has argued the law's language is overly broad and is pushing for stricter measures to secure trash, which often attracts bears.

    "This will exacerbate their extinction," Shadix said. "It's already bad now with the loss of habitat. We already have bear poaching rings in Florida."

    Shadix and others told us earlier this year that they were prepared to pursue legal action, claiming that the proposed law encroaches upon the jurisdiction of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and violates the state constitution.

    Finally, a couple of other new laws: those 7 and older are forbidden from purposefully releasing lighter-than-air balloons under threat of a littering offense. Plus, after years of pushing lawmakers, the abuse victims from the Dozier School for Boys are getting compensation from the state.

    If you're still curious about the more than 150 other new laws coming online, here's the full list:

    NUMBER
    TITLE
    HB 21
    Dozier School for Boys and Okeechobee School Victim Compensation Program
    HB 23
    Pub. Rec./Dozier School for Boys and Okeechobee School Victim Compensation Program
    SB 46
    Reading Achievement Initiative for Scholastic Excellence Program
    HB 49
    Employment
    HB 59
    Provision Of Homeowners' Association Rules and Covenants
    HB 73
    Supported Decisionmaking Authority
    HB 85
    Pub. Rec./New State Banks and New State Trust Companies
    HB 87
    Taking of Bears
    HB 103
    Pub. Rec./County and City Attorneys
    HB 113
    Tax Collections and Sales
    HB 117
    Disclosure of Grand Jury Testimony
    HB 141
    Economic Development
    HB 149
    Continuing Contracts
    HB 151
    Florida Retirement System
    SB 158
    Value of Motor Vehicles Exempt from Legal Process
    HB 159
    HIV Infection Prevention Drugs
    SB 168
    Congenital Cytomegalovirus Screenings
    HB 179
    Towing and Storage
    SB 186
    Progressive Supranuclear Palsy and Other Neurodegenerative Diseases Policy Committee
    HB 187
    Antisemitism
    HB 197
    Health Care Practitioners and Massage Therapy
    HB 201
    Emergency Refills of Insulin and Insulin-related Supplies or Equipment
    HB 215
    Risk Retention Groups
    HB 217
    College Campus Facilities in Areas of Critical State Concern
    HB 241
    Coverage for Skin Cancer Screenings
    HB 271
    Motor Vehicle Parking on Private Property
    HB 275
    Offenses Involving Critical Infrastructure
    SB 276
    Review of Advisory Bodies
    HB 287
    Transportation
    HB 303
    Rabies Vaccinations
    SB 304
    Household Moving Services
    HB 305
    Offenses Involving Children
    HB 321
    Release of Balloons
    SB 330
    Behavioral Health Teaching Hospitals
    HB 353
    Alternative Headquarters for District Court Judges
    HB 357
    Special Observances
    SB 364
    Public Service Commission Rules
    SB 366
    Civil Penalties Under the Gas Safety Law of 1967
    HB 377
    License or Permit to Operate a Vehicle for Hire
    HB 379
    Pub. Rec./Financial Information Regarding Competitive Bidding
    SB 382
    Continuing Education Requirements
    HB 385
    Safe Exchange of Minor Children
    HB 389
    Transportation Facility Designations
    HB 405
    Regulation of Commercial Motor Vehicles
    HB 415
    Pregnancy and Parenting Resources Website
    HB 429
    Real Property
    HB 433
    Employment Regulations
    HB 437
    Anchoring Limitation Areas
    HB 461
    Excusal from Jury Service
    HB 463
    Lights Displayed on Fire Department Vehicles
    HB 481
    Building Construction Regulations and System Warranties
    HB 487
    Lost and Abandoned Property
    HB 521
    Equitable Distribution of Marital Assets and Liabilities
    SB 522
    Tallahassee Community College
    HB 523
    Florida Seal of Fine Arts Program
    HB 535
    Low-voltage Alarm System Projects
    HB 537
    Student Achievement
    SB 544
    Swimming Lesson Voucher Program
    SB 564
    Young Adult Aftercare Services
    HB 583
    Individual Wine Containers
    HB 591
    Hot Car Death Prevention
    SB 592
    Historical Preservation Programs
    HB 601
    Law Enforcement and Correctional Officers
    HB 613
    Mobile Home Park Lot Tenancies
    HB 619
    Sovereign Immunity for Professional Firms
    HB 621
    Property Rights
    HB 623
    Builder Warranties
    SB 644
    Rural Emergency Hospitals
    SB 674
    United States-produced Iron and Steel in Public Works Projects
    SB 678
    Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy Grant Program
    SB 692
    Public Records/Florida Gaming Control Commission
    HB 705
    Public Works Projects
    HB 707
    State University Unexpended Funds
    HB 709
    In-store Servicing of Alcoholic Beverages
    HB 725
    Veterans' Long-term Care Facilities Admissions
    HB 761
    Interpersonal Violence Injunction Petitions
    HB 775
    Surrendered Infants
    HB 781
    Unsolicited Proposals for Public-private Partnerships
    SB 804
    Gaming Licenses and Permits
    HB 813
    Certified Public Accountants
    SB 818
    Military Leave
    SB 832
    Employment of Individuals with Disabilities
    HB 849
    Veterinary Practices
    HB 855
    Dental Services
    HB 865
    Youth Athletic Activities
    HB 883
    Short-acting Bronchodilator Use in Public and Private Schools
    HB 885
    Coverage for Biomarker Testing
    HB 917
    Career and Technical Education
    HB 919
    Artificial Intelligence Use in Political Advertising
    HB 931
    School Chaplains
    HB 935
    Home Health Care Services
    HB 937
    Purple Alert
    SB 938
    Dentistry
    HB 939
    Consumer Protection
    SB 958
    Local Government Employees
    SB 968
    Spaceport Territory
    HB 975
    Background Screenings and Certifications
    HB 983
    Pub. Rec./Clerks of the Circuit Court, Deputy Clerks, and Clerk Personnel
    SB 984
    Judgment Liens
    SB 998
    Sale of Liquefied Petroleum Gas
    HB 1021
    Community Associations
    HB 1029
    My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program
    HB 1031
    Debt Relief Services
    HB 1065
    Substance Abuse Treatment
    HB 1083
    Permanency for Children
    SB 1084
    Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
    SB 1090
    Unauthorized Sale of Alcoholic Beverages
    HB 1109
    Security for Jewish Day Schools and Preschools
    HB 1113
    Use of Lights and Sirens on Emergency Vehicles
    HB 1131
    Online Sting Operations Grant Program
    HB 1133
    Violations Against Vulnerable Road Users
    SB 1136
    Regulation of Water Resources
    SB 1142
    Occupational Licensing
    HB 1161
    Verification of Eligibility for Homestead Exemption
    HB 1181
    Juvenile Justice
    SB 1198
    Corporate Actions
    HB 1203
    Homeowners' Associations
    SB 1224
    Protection of Children and Victims of Crime
    HB 1227
    Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day
    HB 1259
    Providers of Cardiovascular Services
    SB 1264
    History of Communism
    HB 1267
    Economic Self-sufficiency
    HB 1285
    Education
    SB 1286
    Return of Weapons and Arms Following an Arrest
    HB 1291
    Educator Preparation Programs
    HB 1301
    Department of Transportation
    HB 1317
    Patriotic Organizations
    HB 1329
    Veterans
    HB 1331
    Commodities Produced by Forced Labor
    HB 1335
    Department of Business and Professional Regulation
    HB 1337
    Department of Corrections
    SB 1350
    Salvage
    HB 1361
    Education
    HB 1363
    Traffic Enforcement
    HB 1403
    School Choice
    SB 1420
    Department of Commerce
    HB 1425
    Juvenile Justice
    HB 1451
    Identification Documents
    SB 1456
    Counties Designated as Areas of Critical State Concern
    HB 1473
    School Safety
    HB 1503
    Citizens Property Insurance Corporation
    HB 1509
    Pub. Rec./School Guardians
    SB 1512
    Controlled Substances
    SB 1532
    Mitigation
    HB 1555
    Cybersecurity
    HB 1557
    Department of Environmental Protection
    HB 1565
    Florida Red Tide Mitigation and Technology Development Initiative
    HB 1567
    Qualifications for County Emergency Management Directors
    HB 1569
    Exemption from Regulation for Bona Fide Nonprofit Organizations
    HB 1571
    Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority, Monroe County
    SB 1582
    Department of Health
    HB 1589
    Driving Without a Valid Driver License
    HB 1611
    Insurance
    SB 1616
    Electronic Access to Official Records
    HB 1645
    Energy Resources
    HB 1653
    Duties and Prohibited Acts Associated with Death
    SB 1680
    Advanced Technology
    SB 1688
    Career-themed Courses
    SB 1704
    Sheriffs in Consolidated Governments
    SB 1720
    Marine Encroachment on Military Operations
    SB 1758
    Individuals with Disabilities
    SB 1764
    Car Racing Penalties
    SB 2518
    Health and Human Services
    HB 5001
    General Appropriations Act
    HB 5003
    Implementing the 2024-2025 General Appropriations Act
    HB 5005
    Collective Bargaining
    HB 5101
    Education
    HB 5201
    Trust Funds/Federal Law Enforcement Trust Fund/FGCC
    HB 5203
    Property Seized by the Florida Gaming Control Commission
    HB 5401
    Judges
    SB 7002
    Deregulation of Public Schools
    SB 7004
    Education
    HB 7011
    Inactive Special Districts
    HB 7013
    Special Districts
    HB 7021
    Mental Health and Substance Abuse
    SB 7028
    My Safe Florida Home Program
    SB 7032
    Education
    HB 7063
    Anti-human Trafficking
    SB 7072
    Cancer Funding
    HB 7073
    Taxation
    SB 7078
    Public Records and Meetings/Cancer Research Grant Applications
    HB 7089
    Transparency in Health and Human Services
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