On July 1, 2025, a slate of new laws will go into effect across Florida, impacting everything from boating and hotel rules to education, animal cruelty penalties, and children’s access to social media. Here’s a breakdown of the key legislation:
Hotels, Restaurants & Consumer Notices (SB 606)
Hotels and restaurants will now have more authority to remove guests. A guest can be removed immediately upon receiving notice, and law enforcement may arrest anyone who refuses to leave.
The law also requires restaurants that add an “operations charge” (such as automatic gratuities, credit card surcharges, or delivery fees) to clearly disclose these charges on menus, contracts, websites, and mobile apps.
Agriculture & Water Additives (CS 700)
This broad agriculture bill:
- Prohibits unauthorized drone use over agricultural land.
- Bans adding non-essential substances to public water systems — effectively ending water fluoridation in the state.
Boater Freedom Act (CS 1388)
This law restricts law enforcement’s ability to board boats without probable cause related to safety violations. Routine safety inspections can no longer be used as a pretext to stop vessels.
It also:
- Introduces the “Florida Freedom Boater” safety decal.
- Prohibits regulations on watercraft based on their energy source (e.g., electric vs. gas-powered boats).
Animal Cruelty Offender Registry (CS 255 – “Dexter’s Law”)
Individuals convicted of aggravated animal cruelty will now have their names posted in a searchable public database maintained by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The law also strengthens sentencing guidelines for these offenses.
False Emergency Reports (“Swatting”) (CS 279)
Stricter penalties are now in place for false 911 calls that lead to harm:
- A third-degree felony if someone is seriously injured.
- A second-degree felony if someone dies as a result.
- Enhanced penalties after just two prior convictions, instead of four.
Offenders must also pay restitution and the full cost of the emergency response.
Dangerous Excessive Speeding (CS 351)
Drivers going 50 mph or more over the speed limit, or exceeding 100 mph in a reckless manner, face criminal charges:
- First offense: Up to 30 days in jail and/or a $500 fine.
- Repeat offense within 5 years: Up to 90 days in jail, $1,000 fine, and a mandatory license suspension of 6–12 months.
Charter School Expansion (CS 443)
Charter schools will have expanded authority:
- Defined as public facilities for development planning purposes.
- May increase student capacity beyond original charter terms under certain conditions.
- Can create their own student codes of conduct.
- Allow virtual students to participate in school sports.
Medical Debt Collection Reform (CS 547)
Hospitals and surgical centers must follow new standards when collecting patient debt:
- “Extraordinary collection actions” now apply to any medical debt, not just those covered under financial assistance.
- Patient debt can be sold without the usual 30-day notice if no interest or fees are applied, or if the debt is returned to the original provider.
Dangerous Dog Regulation (CS 593 – “Pam Rock Act”)
New rules for classifying and handling dangerous dogs include:
- Mandatory confiscation of any dog that kills a person or causes a high-level bite (Level 5+ on the Dunbar scale).
- Owners of dogs labeled as dangerous must carry $100,000 in liability insurance and implant a microchip.
- Removing a required microchip is now a third-degree felony.
More Laws Taking Effect July 1
- HB 85: Improves school safety in hazardous walking zones.
- HB 259: Establishes Fentanyl Awareness and Education Day.
- HB 307: Authorizes bonuses for county property appraiser staff.
- CS 429: Updates rules for car manufacturers and dealerships.
- HB 513: Allows court orders to be transmitted electronically.
- CS 515: Modernizes Florida’s Uniform Commercial Code.
- CS 549: Redesignates the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America” in state documents.
- CS 551: Expands fire prevention policies.
- CS 597: Mandates diabetes management resources in schools.
- CS 615: Permits landlords and tenants to deliver notices electronically.
- HB 711: Launches “Spectrum Alert” for missing persons with autism.
- CS 733: Streamlines the Brownfields redevelopment process.
- HB 735: Regulates access to public water facilities.
- CS 791: Revises procedures for surrendered infants.
- HB 809: Expands the role of school social workers.
- CS 915: Clarifies rules for legal advertising of representation services.
- CS 929: Enhances firefighter health and safety protections.
- CS 1053: Restructures duties within the Department of Law Enforcement.
- CS 1137: Prevents utilities from cutting essential service without due notice.
These changes reflect growing state interest in tightening safety, transparency, and personal rights across multiple sectors.
Follow the St. Pete-Clearwater Sun on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Google, & X
(Image credit: Patch Florida)
PIE-Sun.com: local St. Pete-Clearwater news
St. Pete-Clearwater Sun 
Leave a comment