New Florida Laws to Take Effect January 1

Several new Florida laws are set to roll out on New Year’s Day, impacting animal welfare, health care, and insurance. Among them is “Dexter’s Law,” which creates a public database of animal cruelty convictions. Another expands property insurance to include pet coverage, and yet another eliminates cost-sharing for breast exams for state workers. Other measures shorten insurance claim deadlines and require health care providers to refund patient overpayments within 30 days.