Jason O'Neal • January 6, 2025

As Florida ushered in the new year, several laws took effect on January 1, 2025, impacting various aspects of daily life. Here are a few of the legistative changes to be aware of in the Sunshine State:

Children under 14 are now prohibited from creating social media accounts. Those aged 14 and 15 may have accounts only with parental consent. This measure aims to protect minors from potential online harms and enhance parental oversight of their children's digital activities.

Voters seeking to change their party affiliation must now provide written consent. This change is designed to prevent inadvertent alterations during processes like driver's license renewals, ensuring voter intentions are accurately recorded.

The new law introduces measures to safeguard vulnerable adults from financial exploitation. It empowers financial institutions to delay suspicious transactions and report potential exploitation to authorities, aiming to protect individuals from financial abuse.

This legislation updates building codes and regulations to enhance safety standards across the state. The specifics of these updates are detailed in the bill, focusing on improving construction practices and ensuring public safety as well as requiring set timelines for approving and denying permit applications.

The law introduces enhanced penalties for offenses committed against first responders, aiming to provide greater protection for those serving on the front lines in emergency situations.

This legislation modifies existing insurance regulations to address current market conditions and consumer needs, aiming to improve the insurance landscape for Florida residents.

The new law revises licensure requirements for health care practitioners, streamlining processes to ensure qualified professionals can serve the community effectively.

This legislation expands exemptions for certain public records, aiming to protect sensitive information while balancing transparency and privacy concerns.

Starting October 1, 2024, Florida introduced new specialty license plates, including themes like Margaritaville and Universal Orlando. These plates require an annual fee of $25, with proceeds supporting various charitable causes.

These changes reflect the state's efforts to address evolving societal needs, enhance public safety, and protect vulnerable populations. You should familiarize yourself with these new laws to ensure compliance and understand their implications. If there are specific concerns you have, the team at Cornerstone Law Firm, PLLC is well positioned to answer and address your concerns.