Florida Gov. DeSantis enacts new DUI penalties
Share this @internewscast.com

The laws cover a range of topics, including the implementation of the ‘Spectrum Alert,’ intended to alert people to missing autistic children.

FLORIDA, USA — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed 12 bills into law Thursday. Here’s what they are:

House Bill 687: Driving and Boating Offenses (Trenton’s Law)

This legislation, often referred to as “Trenton’s Law,” aims to impose more severe penalties on individuals who repeatedly commit vehicular homicide or DUI manslaughter in Florida. It is named after a Creekside High graduate from St. Johns County who tragically lost his life to a wrong-way driver in 2023. The law reclassifies these offenses from a second-degree felony to a first-degree felony, effectively doubling the potential maximum sentence to 30 years.

House Bill 383: Purchase & Possession of Firearms by Law Enforcement Officers, Correctional Officers, Correctional Probation Officers and Servicemembers 

The bill also provides that correctional probation officers may carry concealed firearms during their off-duty hours, subject to approval by their superiors. Additionally, it permits these officers to engage in specific law enforcement actions under certain conditions. However, the appointing or employing agency of the correctional probation officer retains the authority to restrict these officers from carrying concealed firearms while off duty. The legislation also updates the exemptions related to the mandatory waiting period for purchasing and delivering firearms.

House Bill 703: Utility relocation

This bill addresses the issue of utility relocation by establishing a $50 million grant program. This initiative assists utility companies in managing the costs associated with relocating their equipment when state or local infrastructure projects require it.

It requires the Department of Revenue to transfer a portion of the Communications Services Tax revenue each month to the Department of Commerce. It creates a new program within the DOC to help cover the costs associated with relocating utilities and allows service providers to apply for reimbursement if they have to move their infrastructure due to roadwork or other government projects. More information can be found here. 

House Bill 711: Spectrum Alert 

This bill requires FDLE, in cooperation with specified agencies, to establish and implement “Spectrum Alert,” by developing a training program and alert system for missing children with autism spectrum disorder which is compatible with existing alert systems. It also specifies requirements for the training program. $190,000 will be appropriated for the bill.

House Bill 929: Firefighter Heath and Safety 

This bill requires the Division of State Fire Marshal with DFS to adopt certain rules, requires the division to assist in decreasing the  frequency of fatalities, and requires the division to adopt rules “relating to education on chemical hazards or toxic substances and mental health best practices.”

HB 961 – Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

The legislation updates how tax collectors carry out DHSMV tasks, changes some rules around issuing vehicle and driver credentials, and adjusts the rules for taking away a person’s right to drive.

House Bill 1049: Tampering With, Harassing, or Retaliating Against Court Officials

This law provides criminal penalties for people who knowingly and willfully threaten specified court personnel, knowingly and willfully harass specified court personnel, as well as for other actions tampering with court officials.

House Bill 1353: Home Health Care Services

This bill revises provisions related to administrator management, authorizes individuals under contract with home health agency to provide specified services and revises Excellence in Home Health Program criteria requirements.

House Bill 1559: Vexatious Litigants 

This law expands actions subject to the “Florida Vexatious Litigant Law,” which concerns the act of repeatedly abusing the judicial process for personal gain, like lawsuits believed to be frivolous or malicious. It revises sanctions and remedies for vexatious litigation and prohibits clerks of court from accepting certain filings from “vexatious litigants.”

House Bill 4053: Duval County

This law provides space and seating requirements for special alcoholic beverage licenses to event centers, providing exceptions to the general law and explains boundaries where this law will apply.

HB 4073: Leon County

This law primarily revises the Leon County Sheriff’s Office Career Services Employees’ Act. It clarifies the Sheriff’s powers in personnel decisions and makes other changes regarding the sheriff’s office, including guidelines for the transition to a new sheriff.

HB 4075: Leon County

This law limits how much Leon County must pay non-contracted medical and emergency transport providers for treating or transporting inmates at the county detention center.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Trump Administration Revokes Legal Protections for 500,000 Haitians, Leading to Potential Deportations

MIAMI (AP) — The Department of Homeland Security announced on Friday that…
Photo of a bride and groom on their wedding day.

Terrifying incident: YouTuber follows wife to safety spot before fatally stabbing her while she pushes baby in stroller

THIS is the chilling moment a YouTuber stalked his wife to a…
A US diocese defies trends and ordains its largest class of Catholic priests in decades

A US Diocese Bucks Trends, Ordaining Largest Class of Catholic Priests in Decades

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — They are a day away from becoming Catholic…
Danielle Khalaf sues Plymouth-Canton Community Schools over teacher's reaction to her refusal to stand for Pledge of Allegiance

Danielle Khalaf Files Lawsuit Against Plymouth-Canton Community Schools Due to a Teacher’s Response to Her Choice Not to Stand for the Pledge of Allegiance

DETROIT — The American Civil Liberties Union initiated a legal action on…
Rihanna and son Riot support A$AP Rocky at rapper's runway show during Paris Fashion Week

Rihanna and Son Riot Cheer on A$AP Rocky at His Paris Fashion Week Show

She makes motherhood look easy. Rihanna was all smiles as she and…
New WHO report fails to rule out COVID-19 lab leak origin as China continues to impede investigation

WHO’s Latest Report Leaves COVID-19 Lab Leak Theory Open as China Obstructs Probe

On Friday, a scientific advisory group from the World Health Organization (WHO)…

Ex-wife of Travis Decker Issues Heartbreaking Statement on Missing ‘Killer’ Father Accused of Murdering Three Girls

TRAVIS Decker’s former spouse is determined to locate him by all possible…
Birthright citizenship remains law of the land -- for now -- despite SCOTUS ruling

Birthright Citizenship Still Law of the Land Despite Recent SCOTUS Decision

Birthright citizenship continues to stand in the US—at least for the time…
Hiking influencer Hannah Moody's cause of death revealed after being found dead on Arizona trail

Cause of death for hiking influencer Hannah Moody discovered after she was found deceased on an Arizona trail

Hiking influencer Hannah Moody’s cause of death has been revealed more than…
Authorities arrest fugitive Antoine Massey who police say posted on social media following New Orleans jailbreak

Authorities Capture Escaped Fugitive Antoine Massey After Social Media Post Ties Him to New Orleans Jailbreak

Authorities in Louisiana apprehended one of the 10 men who fled a…
2025 Chicago Pride Parade organizers highlighting community organizations like TaskForce Prevention and Community Services

Chicago Pride Parade 2025 to Spotlight Community Groups Such as TaskForce Prevention and Community Services

CHICAGO (WLS) — This year, diverging from tradition, the Chicago Pride Parade…
Hiker’s wilderness adventure ends in tragedy at popular park destination

Tragic Ending for Hiker’s Adventure at Well-Known Park

An Illinois man died after falling while hiking at a state park…