Florida Governor Approves New Laws on Energy, Property Rights, and More

As Gov. Ron DeSantis reviews the final bills on his desk from the 2024 legislative session; numerous measures are set to take effect on July 1.

So far, the Florida governor has signed 262 laws from the session while vetoing three.
Here are some measures that will go into effect within a few weeks:

HB 601: Law Enforcement and Correctional Officers

According to the new law, civilian oversight bodies that investigate misbehavior accusations will be stripped of their powers.

County sheriffs will not form boards to assess their offices’ rules and practices. This gives the state power over investigating complaints against law enforcement and correctional officers, removing authority from local government.

HB 1645: Energy Resources

This measure will prohibit wind turbines that generate electricity offshore or near the state’s beaches. It will encourage the spread of natural gas and eliminate regulations on gas pipelines.

Local governments will be unable to impose some energy policy limits, and purchasing fuel-efficient vehicles will not be a priority for government organizations.

HB 305: Offenses involving children

Courts will have to accept out-of-court statements from minor victims of abuse. Previously, the court would only consider these kind of statements from victims aged 16 or younger.

The bipartisan legislation is intended for youngsters who may not feel comfortable speaking in court or may have difficulty recounting the abuse under stressful conditions.

HB 621 – Property Rights

If the owner makes a complaint, law officials will be able to arrest “squatters” who are not entitled to be in the home right away.

The bipartisan legislation makes it a misdemeanor to offer a bogus lease to cops and a felony to willfully sell or lease someone else’s property or cause more than $1,000 in damage while squatting or trespassing.

Prior to this new regulation, squatters were considered tenants, and evicting them was a lengthy procedure.

House Bill 1029, My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program

This measure establishes the My Safe Florida Home program for condominium owners. The original program allows residents to apply for a grant to receive a free home inspection report that determines whether their property is hurricane-ready.

Condo associations can receive up to $175,000 for window, door, and roof renovations. DeSantis budgeted $30 million for the program.

“This program will go a long way in helping them pay for some of those costs; we want to ensure that these buildings are resilient and structurally sound,” said State Sen. Nick DiCeglie, who co-sponsored the bill.

These features and inspections can help condominium owners save money on their insurance premiums.

House Bill 931 – School Chaplains

This law would establish a statewide school program that will allow districts and charter schools to have volunteer chaplains.
The purpose here is to provide students with the option of receiving therapy and support. Parents must offer written approval for their child to speak with a chaplain. Schools must also maintain a list of chaplains and their religious affiliations. The participating clergy will have to go through background checks.

HB 433 – Employment Regulation

This contentious legislation will prohibit local governments from ordering their contractors to pay higher wages or take more precautions to safeguard workers from heat exposure.

Local governments will not be forced to implement programs that are not mandated by law. Governments also cannot demand contractors to provide work schedules that inform employees ahead of time when they will be required to work.

The law traveled back and forth between chambers, passing 24-15 in the Senate and 74-36 in the House.

Republican Rep. Tiffany Esposito, who sponsored the bill, stated that if a company’s timetable changes and it is unable to make those modifications within two weeks, it will be unable to run its operations and staff.

Rep. Michele K. Rayner, D-St. Petersburg, expressed her worries about counties such as Miami-Dade, where workers are paid $22 per hour on county contracts, compared to the state minimum wage of $12.

“Is there anywhere in this bill that would allow local communities to address that specific gap that they will be facing?” she quipped. Rayner, who voted against the bill, also questioned how it would protect against harsh working conditions, such as Florida’s heat.

In response, Esposito stated that if a worker does not believe his or her company is providing enough, the worker can find another job.

HB 775, Surrendered Infants

This bipartisan legislation raises the age at which a baby can be relinquished under the state’s “Safe Haven Law” from seven to thirty days old.

From seven to thirty days old, under the state’s “Safe Haven Law”.
Current law permits parents who are unwilling or unable to care for their newborns to surrender them to hospitals, fire stations, and EMS stations. The proposed law would raise the age and allow parents to leave their infant with hospital medical professionals after birth.

Parents might also contact 911 and request to meet with EMS providers to surrender their infant.

House Bill 241: Coverage for Skin Cancer Screenings

This law requires the Department of Management Services to cover and pay for annual skin cancer tests through state employee health insurance, with no co-pay for patients.

According to the American Cancer Society, early detection of cancer leads to a 99% five-year survival rate.

The government has until January 1 to require health insurance plans for state employees to provide coverage.