LIST: These New Florida Laws Go Into Effect October 1

Related video above: Supreme Court ruling on camping bans raises concerns for Tampa attorney

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — More than 30 Florida laws go into effect on Oct. 1.

While many of the bills signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis last legislative session went into effect in July, there are dozens more that will go into effect on Oct. 1. The most significant bills are listed below, with a full list at the bottom.

No sleeping in public (HB 1365)

The group’s most controversial bill is one that effectively bans homeless people from sleeping in public. The bill also promises more resources for the homeless, but critics are skeptical.

Counties may designate certain areas as full campgrounds, but only with permission from the Department of Children and Families and for a period of one year.

Supporters of the bill say it would be easier to help the homeless if they were all in one place. Critics, however, say the bill does nothing more than congregate the homeless and keep them out of sight of the public.

“This bill does not and will not address the most pressing and fundamental cause of homelessness,” Democratic Senator Shevrin Jones said during a debate this year. “We are literally rearranging the visibility of homelessness without an exit strategy for people experiencing homelessness.”

However, DeSantis said the new law is a unique approach because it promises to provide the services that homeless people often need.

“This requires that the services be there to help people get back on their feet,” the governor said. “I think it’s important that we maintain the quality of life for the citizens of Florida.”

The ban does not apply to people sleeping in legally parked vehicles.

The law is allowed to go into effect after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in June that governments can ban public sleeping areas.

Indication of a diagnosis on motor vehicle registrations (HB 341)

This law allows an applicant for vehicle registration – or parent or guardian of a child – to voluntarily list a disability or condition diagnosed by a licensed physician in the vehicle registration register.

The Department of Motor Vehicle Registration must use the designation “SAFE” (Safeguarding American Families Everywhere) and may not include any personally identifiable information or information about the specific diagnosis.

The law provides law enforcement and emergency services with advance notice that the person they are meeting has a disability or condition, in the hopes of preventing “unnecessary adverse action,” improving communication and providing the personalized care needed.

“Interactions with police officers or emergency responders in emergency situations, such as a traffic accident or other crisis situation, may be more complex for people with special needs because language, physical, cognitive, learning or mental disabilities may pose barriers to receiving immediate and appropriate assistance,” the bill states.

Some of the conditions include autism, ADHD, Down syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease, PTSD, traumatic brain injury, diabetes, deafness, blindness or another “mentally or physically disabling disorder,” according to the bill’s text.

Applicants may update the file at any time to add or remove the designation.

Higher penalties for shoplifting (HB 549)

HB 549 increases penalties for shoplifting and porch pirates. The bill makes it a third-degree felony to shoplift with more than five people. It also makes it a second-degree felony to shoplift with five or more people and use social media to encourage others to participate.

The law also allows someone to be charged with a misdemeanor offense of shoplifting if they commit multiple thefts within a 120-day period, an extension from the 30-day period.

“Florida is taking another step to differentiate ourselves from lawless jurisdictions and keep our residents and businesses safe,” DeSantis said in a statement when he signed the bill in April. “If you steal in Florida, we will catch you and prosecute you.”

Penalties for porch pirates are also increased under HB 549.

Exposure of first responders to fentanyl (SB 718)

This law imposes additional penalties on individuals whose reckless behavior exposes emergency responders to fentanyl, which could lead to an overdose or other injury.

Anyone over the age of 18 who causes a health care provider to overdose or be injured by exposure to fentanyl commits a second-degree felony.

Flood Disclosure (HB 1049)

This law requires the seller of a property to provide a flood declaration to the buyer before or at the time of signing the contract.

The disclosure will specify whether the seller has filed an insurance claim for flood damage on that property or has ever received federal assistance for flood damage. It will also include an encouragement for the buyer to consider whether to purchase flood insurance.

Higher penalties for defrauding certain groups (HB 1171)

This law increases penalties for anyone who commits a ‘scheme to defraud’ if the victim is over 65, a minor or has a mental or physical disability.

The law also allows a person to bring a civil suit if his or her name, image or likeness is used in a scheme to commit fraud without his or her consent.

All 31 laws that will come into effect on October 1

SB-86: Hope cards for people who have received a protection order
SB-92: Yacht and Ship Brokers Act
HB-341: Indication of a diagnosis on motor vehicle registrations
HB-403: Special license plates
HB-479: Alternative mobility financing systems and impact payments
SB-532: Effects
HB-549: Theft
SB-718: Exposure of first responders to fentanyl and fentanyl analogues
SB-758: Tracking devices and applications
SB-764: Preservation of evidence of sexual crimes
HB-801: Training for law enforcement and correctional personnel on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias
SB-808: Treatment by a medical specialist
SB-902: Financial agreements for the retail sale of motor vehicles
HB-1007: Nicotine dispensers
SB-1036: Reclassification of criminal sanctions
HB-1049: Flood Disclosure When Selling Real Estate
HB-1171: Scam plans
HB-1235: Sexual predators and sexual offenders
HB-1365: Unauthorized public camping and sleeping areas
HB-1389: Digital voyeurism
HB-1415: Peer Support for care providers
HB-1545: Crimes involving child exploitation
SB article 1628: Local government actions
HB-7001: OGSR/Reporter of child abuse, abandonment or neglect
HB-7003: OGSR/Pre-registered voters
HB7005: OGSR/Financial Disclosure
SB-7006: OGSR/utility owned or operated by a local government unit
HB7007: OGSR/Campus Emergency Aid
SB-7008: OGSR/Lottery Department
HB-7009: OGSR/Mental Health Care and Services
HB-7043: OGSR/Agency Personnel Information