Florida Laws Effective July 1, 2020

Although we might be in the middle of a pandemic, that is not stopping Florida lawmakers from passing new laws. Between the months of January and March, Florida lawmakers introduced, rewrote and signed a series of laws that went into effect July 1st.

Here is a look at some of the most notable laws:

HB 43 – JORDAN’S LAW

The bill is designed to protect children from abuse in the state’s welfare system by reducing the workload for caseworkers; meaning the maximum caseload would be no more than 15 children, if possible. The bill also requires caseworkers to receive training developed on the recognition of and response to head trauma and brain injury in children under six years old. Additionally, caseworkers and law enforcement would share data collected more optimally to help children stay away from violent caregivers.

SB 1082 – DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INJUNCTIONS

Authorizes that courts can include pets in temporary restraining orders for survivors of domestic violence.

HB 641 – TEACHER PAY

State sets aside $400 million to raise the minimum base pay for full-time classroom teachers to at least $47,500. Another $100 million will be used to raise the salaries of Florida’s veteran teachers and other instructional personnel who did not receive a salary increase or who received an increase of less than two percent.

State Bill 1084 – EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS

The legislation aims to crack down on the abuse of emotional support animal certifications. It allows housing providers to prohibit use in situations where the animal poses a direct threat to the safety, health, or property of others. Property owners can also request written proof of the support animal’s certification from federal, state, and local government agencies or specified health care providers.

HB 7011: STUDENT ATHLETES

High schools are required to act more quickly when student athletes show signs of heat stroke and other heat-related stresses. An automated external defibrillator must also be available on school grounds.

HB 7067 – SCHOOL CHOICE

The bill expands access to the Family Empowerment Scholarship (FES) Program, the Florida Tax Credit (FTC) Scholarship Program, and the Hope Scholarship Program (HSP) which provide financial assistance to families seeking private education. Bill also establishes a dual enrollment funding incentive for school district

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