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FLORIDA - Florida is enacting over 100 new laws on July 1st, including a fluoride ban, stricter animal cruelty penalties, school phone restrictions, expanded property rights, and major changes to park development, boating rules, and condo regulations.
Florida residents and visitors should brace for big changes as more than 100 new laws go into effect on July 1st.
From drinking water to condo fees, here are 10 of the most impactful new laws reshaping the state.
First, Florida will become the second state in the nation to ban the addition of fluoride in public water systems.
Supporters say the government should not force people to consume fluoride, while health officials argue this move could worsen dental problems, especially for low-income families.
Animal cruelty laws are also tightening.
Dexter’s Law, named after a dog found beheaded in a Pinellas County park, increases penalties for extreme cruelty and requires the state to launch a public database of offenders by 2026.
In education, a full-day phone ban will take effect for elementary and middle school students.
High schoolers will still be limited during class hours, but six districts will test a full-day ban.
Florida’s state parks will be protected from overdevelopment.
The new law blocks construction of commercial projects like hotels, golf courses, and sports courts on park grounds, after public outcry stopped a similar proposal last year.
Two new laws target unauthorized occupants.
One allows property owners to ask law enforcement to remove unwanted people under certain conditions.
Another helps hotels and rentals evict non-paying guests more easily.
Boaters will no longer face random safety inspections thanks to the Boater Freedom Act, which also loosens some restrictions in spring protection zones, a move praised by boaters but criticized by environmentalists.
In a symbolic shift, all state references to the Gulf of Mexico will be renamed the Gulf of America.
Government agencies and schools must update maps and materials accordingly.
Finally, a broad condo reform package aims to lower association fees.
The law promotes financial transparency, lets associations invest reserves, and allows a two-year pause on some reserve payments after inspections, easing the burden on unit owners.