Here Are 10 New FL Laws Going Into Effect On Oct. 1, 2025

Dozens of new laws covering a range of issues take effect in Florida on Oct. 1.

The nearly 30 new laws range from banning AI-generated pornographic images and videos to making it a felony offense to restrain dogs outside during a natural disaster to requiring landlords to share flood risks with prospective tenants.

The state’s minimum wage will also increase by $1 to $14 an hour on Wednesday in accordance with a 2020 voter-passed referendum.

Here are 10 new laws residents and visitors should know about, as well as information about the minimum wage increase:

Fleeing or Attempting to Elide a Law Enforcement Officer

HB 113 revises state law so that law enforcement vehicles are no longer required to display their agency’s insignia while pursuing a vehicle that is fleeing or trying to get away from them. It also increases the minimum punishment for fleeing and eluding, and for re-offenders.

Sexual Images

Under HB 757, it will be a third-degree felony to create, solicit, possess, control or intentionally view AI-generated pornographic images and videos of an identifiable person, including child pornography.

Abandoning Restrained Dogs During Natural Disasters

SB 150, also known as “Trooper’s Law, named after a dog left abandoned in floodwaters on Interstate 75 by his former owner while evacuating during Hurricane Milton, establishes criminal penalties for restraining a dog outside during a natural disaster.

Driving and Boating Offenses

Known as “Trenton’s Law,” HB 687 increases criminal penalties for repeat offenders of driving and boating under the influence manslaughter and vehicular and vessel homicide. The law also makes it a first- or second-degree misdemeanor to refuse a breath or urine test subsequent to a DUI arrest.

Flood Disclosures

SB 948 requires landlords to tell potential tenants about flood risks or any previous flooding incidents that caused damage to the property. If this information isn’t disclosed and a tenant experiences loss or damage because of flooding, they can terminate their lease through written notice no more than 30 days after the date of the flood.

Mental Health

Dubbed the “Tristan Murphy Act,” SB 168 expands diversion programs for those with mental illnesses, including veterans, and those facing misdemeanor charges or ordinance violations. It also encourages communities to establish pretrial felony mental health diversion programs and expands training for 911 dispatchers and emergency medical technicians.

Installation or Use of Tracking Devices or Applications

SB 1168 increases penalties for anyone who puts a tracking device or application on another person’s property without their consent and uses these devices to determine a person’s location or movement without consent.

Leaving the Scene of a Crash Involving Only Damage to Vehicle or Property

HB 479 authorizes the court to order drivers convicted of leaving the scene of a crash to make restitution for any damage they caused to the property’s owner.

Assault or Battery on a Utility Worker

SB 1386 establishes new penalties for anyone who assaults a utility worker working on critical infrastructure.

OGSR/Parental Consent Requirements Before Terminating a Pregnancy

SB 7018 changes the rules about keeping private any identifying information about a minor petitioning a court to waive parental consent requirements for terminating a pregnancy.

Minimum Wage

While not a new law, in 2020, Florida residents voted to approve Amendment 2, which calls for the gradual increase of the state’s minimum wage until it reaches $15 an hour, which will happen next year. On Wednesday, the minimum wage increases from $13 to $14.