New Florida Laws For The New Year

Florida’s minimum wage earners will bring home a little bit more and parents with children under the age of 6 will face tougher safety seat requirements when 2015 makes its official arrival.

Here is a look at just a few of the new laws that go into effect on Jan. 1 that will have an impact on residents throughout the Tampa Bay area:

12-Cent Hike in Minimum Wage Earnings

The state’s minimum wage goes up from $7.93 to $8.05 an hour at the stroke of midnight, effectively giving nearly 400,000 workers an instant raise. The increase comes courtesy of a 2004 constitutional amendment that ties Florida’s minimum wage to the inflation rate.

Safer Car Seat Rules for Kids

This new law requires that children under the age of 3 sit in full child safety seats. It also requires a safety seat or booster seat until a child’s 6th birthday. There are some exceptions to the rule for emergencies when a child is being transported by someone who isn’t an immediate family member. But, when exceptions don’t apply, failure to comply will add up to a $60 fine and three points on the license.

Better Fire Protection

This new law requires Florida homeowners to phase out their old battery-powered smoke alarms for those that offer a 10-year battery that cannot be replaced. These alarms will set homeowners back about $20.

What laws would you like to see Florida consider in 2015? Share your thoughts by commenting below!

See Also:

• Florida’s New Booster Seat Law: What You Need to Know

Image via Shutterstock