DeSantis Signs 9 Key Florida Laws on Safety, Schools and Traffic

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis signed nine bills into law Thursday, addressing traffic enforcement, religious security, body-worn cameras and mosquito control, adding to nearly 60 new statutes this year. House Bill 35 expands the 'habitual traffic offender' definition to include repeat driving without a valid license, enabling felony charges, jail time and long-term license revocation for violators involved in crashes — targeting chronic offenders, not one-time forgetters. CS/SB 52 allows trained, armed volunteers with background checks and concealed carry permits to provide security at churches, mosques and synagogues without professional licenses, under sheriff-approved plans.

Several laws shield public privacy and enhance enforcement tools. CS/SB 50 protects homeowners by barring public release of interior body camera footage, limiting media access via records requests. Other measures include mosquito control funding and security service exemptions. Most take effect July 1, 2026, though some apply immediately.

Education remains a priority, with DeSantis signing related bills like SB 1470, opening the school guardian program to childcare facilities for volunteer security, and HB 1607 mandating AEDs in all schools to combat cardiac arrests. In Fort Myers Friday, he inked SB 1296 and HB 1279, impacting teachers by building on Florida's top education rankings, effective July 1. Additional laws cover diabetes detection in schools (SB 958), anaphylaxis training (SB 1514), human trafficking awareness (HB 1237) and flexible school start times (SB 296).