Host of new Florida laws take effect on Saturday
Sep 29, 2011
The following article was published in the Florida Current on September 29, 2011:
Host of new Florida laws take effect on Saturday
By Travis Pillow
More than two dozen laws passed this year, from medical malpractice reform to new penalties for bestiality and sexting by minors, will take effect this weekend.
There are 29 bills signed into law by Gov. Rick Scott with effective dates on Oct. 1, eight of which are public records exemptions subject to the Open Government Sunset Review. A full list can be found here, and here are some of the highlights:
HB 479, by Rep. Mike Horner, R-Kissimmee, which was strongly supported by doctors’ groups, requires physicians and dentists who testify in medical malpractice cases to obtain expert witness credentials from the Florida Department of Health.
HB 1247, by Rep. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, creates stronger parental notification requirements for minors seeking abortions.
Signed into law after winning unanimous support in both chambers, HB 3 by Rep. Peter Nehr, R-Tarpon Springs, requires the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to issue a “blue alert” if a police officer is killed, missing or seriously injured while in action.
HB45, by Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Destin, strengthens and clarifies state laws pre-empting of local firearm regulations.
SB 1884, by Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, mirrors a recently enacted federal consumer protection law and gives state authorities the ability to crack down on internet visitors who deceive customers into paying for services they may not actually want.
Find this article here: http://www.thefloridacurrent.com/article.cfm?id=24781488