Slew of new Florida laws now in effect

A host of new Florida laws and provisions went into effect January 1.

The list includes topics such as animal cruelty, pet insurance, breast exams, insurance claims, patient refunds and condo and association boards are now in effect from Florida lawmakers.

A closer look:

HB 255 — Animal Cruelty Database: Establishes harsher penalties for intentionally torturing an animal to death, including a 1.25 sentencing multiplier, and creates the state's first searchable animal abuser database with the names of those convicted of such crimes.

Referred to as "Dexter's Law," the legislation was created after a shelter dog named "Dexter" was adopted and later found beheaded in Fort DeSoto Park.

HB 655 — Pet Insurance: This amends state statutes to include pet insurance in the definition of "property insurance," meaning the law mandates pet insurers to disclose claim payment formulas and allow policyholders to return policies within a specified time period.

SB 158 — Breast Examinations: Eliminates co-pays and deductibles for breast examinations, including ultrasounds and MRIs, for those covered under state insurance health plans as a way to enhance early detection and treatment of breast cancer.

SB 944 — Insurance Claims Window: Insurance over-payment claims from a health insurer or HMO must now be submitted to licensed psychologists within a specified time period of 12 months rather than 30 months. This change means psychologists will have the same 12-month time limit as other health care providers, like doctors, chiropractors and dentists.

SB 1808 — Patient Refunds: Health care practitioners must now refund a patient's over-payments for out-of-pocket medical expenses within 30 days or face fines of up to $500. This does not apply to actual health insurance companies, however.

HB 913 — Condo and Association Transparency: HOA Boards with more than 25 units are required to post minutes, and if available, videos of meetings online.

SB 954 — Certified Recovery Residences: Requires counties and municipalities to adopt an ordinance by a set date establishing procedures to review and approve certified recovery residences, and limits local governments from imposing public hearing requirements beyond what state law already requires. It also clarifies that staffing ratios only need to be met when residents are physically present at the residence.

SB 1080 — Land Regulation Impact Fee Limits: Specifies certain purposes for which local governments may use certain fees to carry out activities relating to obtaining or finalizing a building permit and requires counties and municipalities to specify the minimum information necessary for certain applications. The bill also revises the time periods for processing applications for the approval of permits.

This bill also prohibits a school district from collecting, charging or imposing certain fees unless they meet certain requirements.