140 new Florida laws take effect, impacting schools, churches and more

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WINK) — Nearly 140 new laws took effect across Florida on Wednesday, bringing changes that affect schools, churches, utilities, government policies and more.

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Among the most notable changes, Senate Bill 52 allows volunteer security guards at churches and other houses of worship to carry firearms without meeting previous state licensing requirements.

Other notable laws taking effect include:

• HB 445 "Missy's Law " requires courts to hold those criminally convicted or those who pleaded no contest to violent or sexual crimes without letting them out on bond. The law is named after a 5-year-old from Tallahassee, allegedly killed by her stepfather, who was out on bond at the time.
• SB 484 requires the Florida Public Service Commission to develop tariffs and service requirements for data center developers. This ensures utility costs aren't moved to ratepayers.
• HB 33 renames State Road 80 from Palm Beach County to Lee County as "President Donald J. Trump Boulevard"
• HB 1217 prohibits state and local government entities from enforcing "net-zero" greenhouse gas emissions policies.
• SB 1004 requires pet dealers to disclose veterinary records to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to establish a website listing people convicted of animal cruelty.

High school students gained a new pathway to employment through a law signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in June. The legislation creates a half-credit course focused on insurance and personal finance that, upon completion as part of a diploma, makes graduates eligible for an insurance customer representative license. According to ZipRecruiter, the average annual pay for this position is around $36,000.

High school coaches also got a boost, with Senate Bill 178 allowing them to spend up to $15,000 of their own money each year on food, physical therapy and transportation for student athletes, as long as they report those expenses to the Florida High School Athletic Association.

The laws represent a fraction of the 140 measures that took effect statewide.