The Florida Legislature starts the 2024 session on Jan. 9. Nine days prior, the last new laws of 2023 will go into effect.
The four new laws were passed by the legislature and signed by Gov. DeSantis earlier this year.
They make changes to how bail is handled by the courts, who handles child abuse cases in some counties, how law enforcement agencies handle people with mental health issues or developmental conditions, and how Florida residents reserve campsites at state parks.
SB 784
This law is called the “Protect Our Loved Ones Act.” It allows law enforcement agencies to create a “special needs registry” of people who have developmental or psychological conditions. The law specifically lists autism spectrum disorder, Alzheimer’s disease and Down syndrome as being considered, but agencies should consider other conditions as well.
People may voluntarily enroll themselves onto the registry, or a person could be enrolled by a parent or a legal guardian if they are a minor or considered incapacitated. The goal is to help law enforcement agencies better handle calls for service and improve how officers interact with people with those conditions. Certain things are required to be eligible for enrollment, including a certification from a physician or psychologist.
SB 1534
The law changes Florida statutes so that only a judge can set, reduce or alter a defendant’s bail, and requires the Florida Supreme Court to adopt a uniform statewide bond schedule by Jan. 1. It prohibits a judge from establishing a local bond schedule that sets lower bond amounts than required by the bond schedule set by the Florida Supreme Court.
It also amends state law so that a person cannot be released before a first appearance hearing if they meet certain criteria, including:
- The person was, at the time of arrest for any felony, on pretrial release, probation, or community control
- The person was, at the time of arrest, designated as a sexual offender or sexual predator in this state or any other state
- The person was arrested for violating a protective injunction
- Or the person is considered a repeat felony offender or violent career criminal
The law also makes changes regarding how a person can be released with nonmonetary bond, and makes several changes regarding revoking bond or pretrial release with regards to a “dangerous crime.”
SB 7056
Seven counties in Florida handle child protection investigations instead of leaving it to the Department of Children and Families. SB 7056 requires those counties to give control of those child abuse investigative services to DCF on Jan. 1.
Seminole County is the only Central Florida county affected by this law. The other counties are Broward, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, and Walton counties.
SB 76
This law revises campsite rules for state parks. It allows Florida residents to reserve a campsite one month before nonresidents can. Florida residents would have to show proof of residency. They would be able to register a campsite up to 11 months before the date of reservation.
Full laws can be read on the Florida Senate website here:
