New Florida Laws Take Effect July 1

TALLAHASSEE, FL — You can now obtain cheaper drug prescriptions from Canada but you can't vape in indoor workplaces or sell sex dolls that resemble children.

These are among 200 new laws that were passed during the 2019 Florida Legislative Session and signed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Some take effect July 1. Other laws will go into effect Oct. 1 and Jan. 1.

Also taking effect July 1 was Florida's record $90.98 billion budget.

Here are some highlights of new laws effective July 1:

• Following a devastating 2018 for businesses along the Gulf coast that cater to tourists due to red tide along beaches, a new law has established the Florida Red Tide Mitigation and Technology Development Iniative. This law provides $3 million a year for the next six years to research ways to prevent or disperse red tide, which killed manatees, dolphin, turtles and other sea creatures up and down the west coast of Florida.
• A new shark fishing rule to be enforced by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission also goes into effect Monday that bans shore-based anglers from using fish parts, bones and blood to attract sharks.
• Exposure to carcinogens have long plagued firefighters. A new law makes firefighters diagnosed with cancer eligible for additional benefits.
• Another new law provides death benefits for law enforcement officers, correctional officers, correctional probation officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, paramedics and Florida National Guard members killed while on duty.
• As of July 1, Florida will pursue the expansion of toll roads. The bill, sponsored by Bradenton Sen. Bill Galvano, will expand the Suncoast Parkway from the Tampa Bay area to the Georgia border; extend the Florida Turnpike west to connect with the Suncoast Parkway; and add a new multi-use corridor, including a toll road, from Polk County to Collier County.
• The Family Empowerment Scholarship Program is a new school voucher law that pays for up to 18,000 low-income students to attend private schools during the 2019-20 school year with more students receiving funding in coming years.
• House Bill 19 allows residents to purchase cheaper FDA-approved prescription drugs from Canada and other countries.
• House Bill 23 sets up regulation for the booming telehealth industry, which provides health services via the phone and computer.
• Hoping to combat the spread of infectious diseases among intravenous drug users, Senate Bill 366 allows counties to put needle exchange programs in place.
• With the approval of a law allowing the smoking of medicinal marijuana in March, Florida's farmers are eager to supplement their current crops of strawberries and tomatoes with hemp. A new law allows the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to set up regulations licensing farmers to cultivate hemp.
• There are currently no sanctuary cities in Florida, and a new law will make sure that areas giving sanctuary to illegal immigrants in defiance of federal laws are never created.
• House Bill 487 allows paramedics involved in certain high-risk situations, such as hostage takings, to carry firearms.
• Although voters approved a constitutional amendment banning vaping in indoor workplaces during the November general election, Senate Bill 7012 puts that vote into effect.
• Students will have to do better on the SAT if they want a Bright Futures Scholarship to pay tuition and fees at Florida colleges and universities. Instead of getting a 1290 on the SAT, they have to get a score of at least 1330.
• House Bill 311 will allow for the development of rules to approve and regulate the use of autonomous (driverless) vehicles.
• After tinkering with an amendment approved by voters in November, a new law on the books allows felons to regain their right to vote provided they pay restitution, fine and fees before registering. See related story.
• As of July 1, people who are seen texting while driving can be pulled over and ticketed. See related story.

Laws taking effect Oct. 1

• As of Oct. 1, it will be illegal to sell or own a sex doll that resembles a child.
• Anyone who kills or injures a K9 dog or horse used by law enforcement could face up to 15 years in prison.