New Laws

New Florida Laws Take Effect this Weekend

29 new laws went into effect this weekend.  Below are some of the most notorious.

• The most controversial is backed by the NRA and imposes stiff penalties for local officials and fines if the city or county imposes any gun laws that are stronger than the state law.
• Another highly controversial law is the requirement of parent notification when minors seek abortions.
• Durable Power of Attorney will now require execution with two witnesses and be notarized in order to be effective.
• New Intestacy Law regarding dying without a will. The new law is based upon marital status and decedents.
• Sexting Law is changing and lowers the penalty for teenagers – a first offense for teen sexting is non-criminal and is punishable by up to 8 hours of community service or a 60 dollar fine. The second offense is a misdemeanor and the third becomes a felony, with a maximum 5-year prison sentence.
• Law toughening penalties for possession of stolen credit or debit cards.
• New Law requires physicians and dentists who testify in medical malpractice cases to obtain expert witness credentials from the Florida Department of Health.
• New Law gives state authorities the ability to crack down on internet visitors who deceive customers into paying for services they may not actually want.
• New Law requires the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to issue a “blue alert” if a police officer is killed, missing or seriously injured while in action.

These are just a few of the new laws that went into effect on October 1, 2011.