New Year, New Laws: 9 new Florida laws for 2025

From banning social media for children under 14 to new building regulations and legal consequences for threatening first responders, here are 9 new Florida laws that go into effect on January 1, 2025.

Each year, as we ring in the New Year, Florida quietly rolls out new laws that officially go into effect on January 1^st. These laws were proposed and passed by the House, Senate, and governor during the previous year. It’s like the state’s way of saying, “New year, new me!”

While many of these laws are specific to certain government programs or business areas, some of these laws will impact all Florida residents. For example, in 2025, new laws will impact everything from your social media use to how you interact with first responders, like police officers and paramedics. Staying informed about these new laws is essential for ensuring you don’t unknowingly get into any legal trouble. In this article, our Florida attorneys break down the 9 new laws taking effect January 1, 2025, in the Sunshine State.

Here are the 9 new Florida laws for 2025

As a Florida resident, it’s important that you know about new laws that can impact your daily life in the Sunshine State. Here are the 9 new Florida laws for 2025. If you have any questions about these laws or need help with an insurance claim after an accident, a workers’ compensation claim, Social Security Disability, or bankruptcy, call us for a free consultation at 866-930-6435.

1. Social media is banned for children under 14

In a first-of-its-kind law, Florida will ban social media accounts for children 13 and younger and require parental permission for 14- and 15-year-olds. House Bill 3 was signed into law by Governor DeSantis in March 2024, as a way to help protect adolescents from the negative impacts of social media. Here are the main things to know about the new law:

• Individuals under 14 are prohibited from creating or maintaining social media accounts.
• Individuals aged 14 and 15 must have parental consent before creating a social media account.
• Social media companies like Meta are required to terminate existing accounts of users under 14 and implement measures to prevent new account creations by this age group.

2. You cannot verbally or physically threaten first responders

Under Senate Bill 184, it is now illegal for a person, after receiving a verbal warning from a first responder (police officer, paramedic, firefighter, correctional officer, or probation officer), to violate the warning and remain within 25 feet with the intent to:

• Interfere or prevent the first responder from performing a duty
• Threaten the first responder with physical harm or malicious intent
• Harasses the first responder, either physically or verbally to a point it can impede duty

First responders often face dangerous, unpredictable and high-pressure situations. These men and women provide life-saving, essential services that help protect the public. New laws like Senate Bill 184 acknowledge the sacrifices these first responders make on a daily basis and help safeguard their rights and our community.

3. Medical reimbursement and payment for witnesses has increased for workers’ compensation claims

There’s also a new law that will affect workers’ compensation claims in Florida. Under Senate Bill 362, the maximum medical reimbursements for physicians and surgical fees associated with workers’ compensation claims has increased. In addition, fees for expert witnesses in workers’ compensation claims have increased from $200 to $300 per hour. This law requires all Florida employers with workers’ compensation insurance to provide injured employees with all medically necessary remedial treatment, care, and attendance for the entirety of the recovery process.

Do you need help with a workers’ compensation claim? Our experienced workers’ compensation attorneys can help you get the benefits you deserve. Learn more here.

4. Adults 65 years or older have greater protection from predatory financial exploitation

Senate Bill 556 is a new law that increases protection for vulnerable adults or adults 65 years or older who may become victims of predatory financial exploitation. For example, if a senior suddenly tries to send $20,000 to an unfamiliar overseas account, the new law requires banks to flag and halt the transaction. Similarly,

Under the new law, financial institutions now have the legal obligation to:

• Delay transactions and prompt initiate an internal review of cases where the financial institution believes there is some form of financial exploitation for a vulnerable adult or senior citizen.

• Within three days of the transaction delay, the financial institution must provide written notice of the reason for delay to all parties affiliated with the account.

• The transaction can be delayed up to 30 business days until approval is made by trusted affiliates of the account.

• Financial institutions must develop and implement training policies to address issues of financial exploitation specific to vulnerable adults and senior citizens.

5. Construction and renovation processes have been simplified to help reduce costs and speed up timelines

If you work in construction or are planning to build or renovate in 2025, this new law will impact your projects. House Bill 267 introduces key changes to building codes, including the elimination of requiring seal drawings for window, door, or garage replacements for one- or two-family dwellings or townhouses. The new law also changes the eligibility requirements a person must meet to take an examination for certification as a building code inspector or plans examiner. There are a lot of details and conditions for House Bill 267. You can learn more here.

6. Changes in voter registration affiliations must now be done in writing

To help strengthen the security of Florida’s voting practices, House Bill 135 requires all registered voters who would like to change their party affiliation to do so in writing. In addition, applicants who do not want to be registered with a specific party must now indicate that on their application.

House Bill 135 also requires the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to:

• Not change party affiliation of registered voters without explicit written consent
• Give applicants a printed receipt of any change in party affiliation

7. Insurance companies can no longer impose unauthorized fees on dental insurance claims

Senate Bill 892 protects dentists and patients by prohibiting insurance companies from requiring restrictive contracts or imposing unauthorized payment fees. The new law prohibits insurance companies from limiting claim payments for dental services to credit card only. It requires insurance companies to notify dentists of any fees associated with electronic funds transfers and dentists must consent to the feeds. And, the new law prohibits insurance companies from denying claims for pre-authorized procedures (except under certain circumstances).

8. New law updates Florida trust and estate management to be more flexible

Under House Bill 1093, the Florida Uniform Principal and Income Act will be replaced by the Florida Uniform Fiduciary Income and Principal Act. Here’s what this means for Florida residents:

• Florida now follows a “modern portfolio theory” to allow trustees to invest for the maximum total return.
• An existing trust can now be converted into a unitrust for more flexible distributions.
• The new law enhances the flexibility and customization of estate planning.

9. New law streamlines outdated rules surrounding private activity bonds

Senate Bill 7054 modernizes Florida’s private activity bond regulations to streamline outdated rules and encourage maximum use of bonds for public benefit projects, such as affordable housing and infrastructure. The new law enables the consolidation of rarely used bond pools, refines allocation processes, and allows electronic submissions for bond requests.

Need legal help? Turn to one of Florida’s most trusted law firms

For over 40 years, Hoskins, Turco, Lloyd & Lloyd has fiercely advocated for thousands of individuals who are being taken advantage of by insurance companies, corporations, and government organizations. We don’t back down from a fight. When you are our client, you have the full force of one of Florida’s most reputable, results-driven law firms behind you.

Whenever you have been wrongfully injured, denied critical government benefits, or facing extreme financial hardship, it’s important you have an experienced and understanding attorney on your side.

Contact us today for a FREE case review by calling 866-930-6435