A litany of new laws, including insurance reform and discounts for some commuters, became effective in Florida on Jan. 1. Under SB6A, commuters who make 35 toll transactions a month will get a 50-cent discount on the cost of tolls under a new law that became effective on Jan. 1.
Also, beginning Jan. 1, SB2A forbids Florida property insurance policyholders from signing over their property insurance benefits to contractors who, in turn, pursue payments from insurance companies. SB2A also requires that property insurers promptly communicate with clients, investigate claims and pay valid ones.
Renters get more security under SB898, which requires apartment landlords to perform background checks on all employees.
Under the HB147 education bill, school librarians, media specialists, and others involved in choosing what materials are placed in libraries must participate in a training program to ensure that materials in school libraries are age appropriate.
Finally, among the new laws is SB292. That measure required hospitals and other licensed birthing facilities to test newborns for congenital cytomegalovirus, which can cause infant hearing loss.
SB6A and SB2A were passed during the Legislature’s special session, which took place from Dec. 12 to Dec. 16, 2022.
SB898, HB147, and SB292 were passed during the last regular legislative session in 2022.
