New Florida Laws July & October 2025: What You Need to Know

People are being arrested under these new laws, so it's crucial to understand the statutes that just went into effect July 1st and others coming October 1st. Let's break down what you need to know.

Laws Effective July 1, 2025

Senate Bill 56: Weather Modification Ban

This law establishes a no-fly zone for unauthorized weather modification. It bans releasing chemicals to alter weather patterns, with violators facing felony charges. The legislation aims to prevent geoengineering experiments without proper authorization.

House Bill 209: State Parks Conservation

HB 209 keeps our state parks focused on conservation by blocking the creation of new activities like pickleball courts, tennis courts, and golf courses. The goal is to ensure state parks remain havens for nature-conscious activities.

House Bill 255: "Dexter's Law" - Animal Cruelty Database

Key Changes:

Creates a public-facing database of animal cruelty offenders
Adds a 1.25x multiplier for aggravated animal abuse sentencing
Animal cruelty (Level 5) = 28 points base score
Multiple charges can push offenders over the 44-point prison threshold

Example calculation: Three animal cruelty charges = 28 + 5.4 + 5.4 = 38.8 points. With the 1.25 multiplier = 48.5 points, crossing the 44-point minimum for prison time.

House Bill 279: Swatting Becomes a Felony

If you make a false 911 call and someone is hurt as a result of the police response, you're now guilty of a felony. Previously, false calls without injury were just abuse of 911 - a misdemeanor.

House Bill 29: "Lucy's Law" - Boating Under the Influence

This law brings boating laws in alignment with motor vehicle laws:

BUI penalties now mirror DUI penalties
Reckless boating charges strengthened
Hit-and-run boating penalties increased
Mandatory minimum sentences if someone is killed while boating under the influence

House Bill 351: Dangerous Excessive Speeding

Criminal charges now apply for:

Driving 50+ mph over the speed limit
Driving 100+ mph with another factor (recklessness, interfering with traffic)

Penalties:

First offense: Up to 30 days imprisonment + $500 fine
Second offense: Up to 90 days imprisonment + $1,000 fine
License revocation: 180 days to 1 year for repeat offenders within 5 years

Note: As of June 30, 2025, Orange County has already issued 178 citations for 50+ mph over the speed limit.

Senate Bill 612: Juvenile Fentanyl Delivery

It's now a felony for a juvenile to deliver fentanyl to another person if it results in their death. This addresses the growing crisis of fentanyl-related deaths among young people.

Laws Coming October 1, 2025

House Bill 113: Fleeing to Elude Enhancement

Makes penalties for fleeing to elude law enforcement more extreme with a 1.5x multiplier on sentencing scoresheet calculations.

House Bill 253: License Plate Alteration

Makes it a second-degree misdemeanor to:

Alter the original appearance of a license plate
Apply any substance, coating, or covering that interferes with legibility
Attach reflective material or illuminating devices

⚖️ Legal Challenge:

The criminal action is the placement of material on the plate. How can an officer prove YOU placed it there? This wasn't witnessed by the officer, creating potential defense opportunities.

Other Important Changes

House Bill 479: Hit-and-Run Restitution

Victims can now receive restitution for property damage in hit-and-run cases. Previously, courts only allowed restitution for injury cases, arguing the crime was "leaving" not the damage itself.

Senate Bill 1804: Capital Offense for Human Trafficking

Human sexual trafficking of a child under 12 or a mentally deficient adult is now a capital offense punishable by death. This joins first-degree murder and sexual battery of a child under 12 as Florida's capital offenses.

Need Legal Help?

If you're facing charges under any of these new laws, don't navigate the legal system alone. The penalties have become more severe, and the complexity has increased.

Call Now: 407-500-7000

Stay Informed, Stay Protected

As a responsible citizen, taking time to educate yourself about current laws is part of your civic responsibility. These new statutes represent significant changes to Florida's legal landscape, with enhanced penalties and new criminal offenses that could impact you or your loved ones.

Remember, knowledge of the law is your first line of defense. If you have questions about how these laws might affect you, or if you're facing charges, seek experienced legal counsel immediately.