10 new Florida laws will go into effect in 2025: What to know

Stream FOX 35 News

ORLANDO, Fla. - On Wednesday, January 1, 2025, a new year begins, bringing with it a set of new state laws in Florida.

A total of 10 new laws will take effect. Here’s what you should be aware of.

Online Protection for Minors

This Florida law (HB 3) will prohibit children under the age of 14 from becoming social media account holders. However, 14 and 15-year-olds can create accounts with parental consent.

"Social media harms children in a variety of ways," Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a statement regarding the law. "HB 3 gives parents a greater ability to protect their children."

The law not only aims to shield children from the risks of social media but also mandates that pornographic or sexually explicit websites use age verification to block minors from accessing content that's unsuitable for them.

Read more here.

New Florida law to restrict certain kids' social media access

Under this law, regulated social media platforms are prohibited from allowing anyone under 14 to hold an account. It allows minors who are 14 or 15 years old to become account holders, but only with the consent of a parent or guardian.

Impeding, Threatening, or Harassing First Responders

This law makes it a crime to harass Florida first responders while they're working. A person cannot knowingly ignore a first responder's warning not to approach or to remain within 25 feet of that first responder to harass or interfere with their work.

SB 184 defines a first responder as a law enforcement officer, a correctional probation officer, a firefighter, or an emergency medical care provider.

Read more here or watch a previous FOX 35 News video explaining this law below:

Bill criminalizes harassment of first responders

A bill awaiting Gov. Ron DeSantis' signature would make it a crime to harass Florida first responders while they're working.

Voter Registration Applications

HB 135 will change voter registration rules to allow some applicants to register without a party affiliation. The department will also give applicants a receipt and make sure updates to their information are only made with their written consent.

Read more here.

Building Regulations

The Florida Building Commission will update the building code for replacement windows, doors, and garage doors, including new rules for issuing permits and notices, as well as setting timeframes for approval. Local building agencies must create and publish a manual for auditing private providers, and certain permit applications will be automatically approved under specific conditions.

Read more here.

Medical Treatment under the Workers' Compensation Law

SB 362 will increase limits on witness fees charged by certain witnesses and increase the maximum reimbursement allowances for physicians and surgical procedures, etc.

Read more here.

Protection of Specified Adults

This new law will provide protection for specified adults in Florida who are vulnerable to financial exploitation. A specified adult is defined as a person that is 65 and older or someone that is 18 or older with disabilities.

Read more here.

Dental Insurance Claims

SB 892 prevents health insurers from limiting how dentists are paid and from charging fees for ACH payments unless the dentist agrees.

In addition, the law prevents insurers from denying claims for procedures that were already approved, and stops certain restrictions on payment methods in contracts between dentists and prepaid health service organizations.

Read more here.

Florida Uniform Fiduciary Income and Principal Act

This law revises the rules in Florida about how money and assets are managed in trusts, life estates, and other term interests.

Read more here.

Pub. Rec./Investigations by the Department of Legal Affairs

This law makes certain information about investigations into social media violations and age verification violations exempt from public records laws. The Department of Legal Affairs can share this information for specific purposes, but the exemption will be reviewed and could be repealed in the future.

This is a companion bill to HB 3. Read more here.

Private Activity Bonds

This law will revise the rules related to private activity bonds, including definitions, state volume limitation, allocation & reallocation, issuance, reports, notices of intent, confirmation of allocation, final certificate of allocation, distribution, allocation pools, mortgage credit certificates, carryforward, infrastructure projects, and applications.

Read more here.

STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: