Many new laws took effect on Wednesday, in what has become an annual ritual following the end of the Florida Legislature’s session. Here is a summary of some of the most broad-ranging new laws.
Seat Belts
If you weren’t buckling up before, here’s a reason to. Drivers in Florida can now be pulled over and issued a citation for not buckling up. Previously, seat belt citations could only been written following a law enforcement officer pulling someone over for another offense. Although the state fine for seat belt violations is $35, counties and municipalities can tack on other fees — making not buckling up not only a safety risk but a bigger cost.
Bright Futures
After years of the Bright Futures Scholarship helping students pay their tuition, students will now have to dig further in their pocket to cover the cost of their education. Amidst rising tuition cost, Bright Futures students will now be receiving less financial aid and footing more of the bill for their education. Traditionally, Bright Futures Scholarships covered a certain set percentage of the student’s tuition, ranging from 75 to 100 percent. With the new law taking effect, students will now receive a flat rate payout ranging from $95 to $126 per credit hour and state tuition hikes will not be covered by the scholarship.
College Savings
Those participating in savings plans through 529 prepaid plans — savings plans for children’s future education cost — now have the flexibility to transfer money from the plan to private and out-of-state colleges. Previously, the full amount of savings could only be used by children enrolled in Florida public universities and community colleges.
Cigarette Tax
Need another reason to quit smoking? Not only bad for your health, smoking just got a lot more expensive. Following a hike in the national cigarette tax, Florida follows with its own hike of one dollar per pack. Tobacco users will now be smoking more money away as the tax also includes similar hikes in taxes on other tobacco products. If you can’t give up the habit, cigars may be the way to go — taxes on cigars are not affected by the tax increase.
Electronic Tracking of Prescription Drugs
In an effort to crack down on prescription drug abuse, prescription drugs bought at pain clinics will now be logged into a statewide database used to track doctors and clinics that distribute painkillers. Although the bill passed, the Florida Department of Health has until October 2010 to give instructions to doctors and clinics on how to log prescription drug sales.
First Responder Fees
Many counties across Florida had instituted a fee charged for first responders at the scene of an accident. Counties no longer have the option to charge such fees. The new legislations which took effect Wednesday, prohibits counties and cities from imposing fees or obtaining reimbursement for costs or expenses incurred for services provided by first responders, including law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians and paramedics. Charges can still be assessed for hazardous material clean-up and treatment provided by ambulance services.
DNA Database
Get arrested for a felony in Florida and you will now become part of the Florida DNA database. Previously, DNA samples were not taken until after someone had been convicted of a crime, but the new law requires the collection of DNA samples upon arrest — not conviction.
"The government is going to expand Florida’s DNA database to include everyone arrested for a felony, even if they are innocent. This includes people for whom charges are never filed, for whom charges are dismissed or who are found not guilty," said the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida in a prepared statement. "Anti-big government conservatives should be up in arms about this — this is a major overstep by our government.
The ACLU argued that the Florida Legislature should not have passed a law requiring collection of DNA prior to conviction, or if collected prior, the DNA sample and record be destroyed if the person was found innocent. The Florida Legislature rejected the proposal.
July 2nd 2009 - 4:22PM