These Florida laws go into effect Oct. 1
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When the calendar flips to October, dozens of new laws will take effect.
Why it matters: Among them are guardrails for AI, a requirement that landlords disclose flood risks to prospective tenants, and changes to how the criminal justice system treats people with mental illnesses.
- Here's what to know.
Tristin Murphy Act: SB 168 creates a process for inmates with mental illnesses to be diverted to treatment instead of prison, allowing people to be screened within 24 hours of detention.
- The law is named after a man diagnosed with schizophrenia who died by suicide in 2021 at a state prison.
🚫 Banning deepfake porn: HB 757 makes it a third-degree felony to "willfully and knowingly" create, solicit or possess AI-generated pornographic images or videos of someone without their consent.
- The law allows someone to sue if a pornographic image of them is made or shared without their consent, which could result in damages of at least $10,000.
🔎 Disclosing flood risk for renters: SB 948 extends flood risk disclosures to renters, similar to those required for home sales.
- The law requires landlords to inform prospective tenants of any known flooding that has affected a rental unit, any insurance claims filed, and any assistance received for the damage.
- If the landlord doesn't do so and "substantial" damage occurs, under the law, the tenant can terminate the lease within 30 days and receive a refund for any rent paid in advance.
🚢 Increasing BUI penalties: HB 687 increases penalties for DUI or BUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide if the offender has a prior conviction.
🐶 Trooper's law: HB 150, named after a dog abandoned in Tampa during Hurricane Milton, makes it a third-degree felony for anyone to restrain dogs outside during natural disasters.