Florida rang in the new year with fireworks displays and celebrations from the Panhandle to the Southernmost City. The start of 2024 also brought new laws which took effect throughout the state.
Bills passed by the Florida Legislature and signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis during the 2022-23 session expanded existing laws surrounding motor vehicle safety while creating new systems for law enforcement to better understand a person’s situation before meeting them at a call. Known as the Protect Our Loved Ones Act, the legislation gives local police the ability to develop and maintain a database of people who have developmental or psychological disabilities.
Law enforcement agencies nationally and locally are using voluntary registry systems which give officers and deputies relevant information on individuals with disabilities such as down syndrome, autism or Alzheimer’s. Not only does it promote safety, but it also promotes community partnerships in responding to those with special needs. It’s something the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and Key West Police Department have used working alongside families with autistic children.
“I always tell families that our police officers should know your kids,” said Jill Campbell, founder of Autism Society of the Florida Keys. “We live in a small town. I always encourage families to reach out to police, especially if their kids are runners or are nonverbal or whatever the struggle might be.”
Per the bill, any adult with a disability or a legal guardian of a minor with a disability can voluntarily register with a law enforcement agency. Legislation expressly permits local law enforcement agencies to provide relevant information from the registry to an officer during duty.
“It’s good for the community,” Campbell said in relation to a registry. “If a neighbor calls the police and says there’s a suspicious kid in the yard, once they type in the address of that neighbor, they know the kid who lives nearby and the disability. In two seconds they can figure it out and not come guns drawn.”
A Move Over Law in the state requiring motorists to give first responders, tow trucks and municipal vehicles room was bolstered by the legislature effective Jan. 1. Drivers in the state must move from the lane closest to a disabled vehicle displaying hazard lights, emergency flares or signage. In cases where a vehicle can’t move to another lane, motorists must slow to 20 mph less than the posted speed limit. Violators could be cited with a noncriminal moving violation and a fine of up to $158.
“The roadside is a dangerous place for anyone, whether it’s a first responder or a daily commuter. We hope this enhancement to the current law will save lives by reminding drivers to give extra space when passing anyone on the roadside,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA.
Another law taking effect in 2024 forced local elected officials, such as city commissioners and village council members, to disclose their financial interests. Previously, the Florida Constitution required all elected constitutional officers, statewide elected officials, county commissioners and school board members to file to the Commission on Ethics a full and public disclosure of their financial interests when net worth, assets and liabilities exceed $1,000.
Last session, the Florida legislature expanded the requirement to include elected officials in local town, village and city government. The new law stated that local elected officials, as of Jan. 1, have to fill and send the form to the Florida Commission on Ethics. Local elected officials across Florida resigned or quit due to the new financial disclosure law, including 15 from Pinellas County, according to Fox 13.
State legislators also amended several statutes related to bail, pretrial detention and pretrial release which all took effect Jan. 1. Specifically, a judge may set, reduce or alter a defendant’s bail. The new law requires the Florida Supreme Court to adopt a uniform statewide bond schedule and provides circumstances in which a person may not be released before a first appearance hearing.
A back-to-school sales tax holiday passed through the legislature and took effect at the start of the new year. The tax break on school supplies, clothing, footwear and computers and related accessories goes through Sunday, Jan. 14.
