As you flip the calendar page with June’s departure, add taking a quick look through the 120-plus new Florida laws which go into effect July 1 to your to-do list.
Penalties for child abuse and domestic violence will get harsher, the state will be able to designate foreign and domestic terrorist organizations, it will be much easier for teacher, nurse, and government worker unions to be shut down, affordable housing will be included under the Florida Fair Housing Act, buying dogs and cats will get more protections, and the state animal abuse database will get a lot more details.
Add to that a longer “President Donald J. Trump Highway” and a “President Donald J. Trump-Palm Beach International Airport,” revised rules for non-profits, no more building permits for most small projects, a ban on carbon taxes, and many more.
Here are just a few of the new and/or updated laws and how they affect life in Brevard and beyond.
Traffic offenses
HB 35 expands the term “habitual traffic offender” to add the offense of driving without a valid license. Those convicted on that charge three or more times in five years will get that new designation and could face prosecution for a third-degree felony.
The Cocoa Police Department put it this way in a Facebook post: “The message is simple: If your license is suspended, revoked, or otherwise invalid, don’t get behind the wheel. Make arrangements, address your licensing issues, and avoid turning a traffic stop into a felony arrest.”
Dangerous crimes (Missy’s Law)
Another statutory change called Missy’s Law requires judges to remand defendants into custody immediately if the person has pleaded guilty or no contest to or is found guilty of a violent crime. The person must remain in custody pending sentencing, the law states.
The legislation, HB 445 (2026), was prompted by the murder of Melissa “Missy” Mogle, a 5-year-old Tallahassee girl who died May 19, 2025. Her stepfather, Daniel Spencer, 36, and her mother, Chloe Spencer, 24, were later indicted on first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse and other charges. At the time of Missy’s death, Spencer was free on bond following his conviction a month earlier in an unrelated underage sex sting.
“As Sheriff, I have always been a strong advocate of keeping dangerous and violent criminals locked behind bars where they belong and where they can no longer harm our citizens!!” said Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey, long a proponent of tougher bonds, in a statement to FLORIDA TODAY.
“Missy’s Law is a great step in that direction so that violent criminals never have the opportunity to harm someone again while awaiting sentencing!! I applaud our great Governor and Legislature for passing this important law that makes it mandatory to keep dangerous criminals locked safely behind bars while awaiting sentencing for a crime they have either pled to or been found guilty of!!”
Education
HB 453: Students can satisfy the one-credit physical education and one-credit performing arts requirements for their diploma by participating for two years in marching band. In addition, it allows students participating in Special Olympics for one year to meet the one-credit physical education requirement.
SB 124 amends Florida Virtual School statutes. It includes removing Florida Virtual School (FLVS) requirements to give priority to certain students; requires counting all full-time and part-time FLVS students for the purposes of full-time equivalent student calculations; requires certain FLVS employees to be state employees to be eligible for the Florida Retirement System; allows FLVS to approve and collect supplemental revenue from an outside organization; and removes requirements for some FLVS reporting.
Environment
Among other provisions, SB 290 prevents municipal governments from restricting or outlawing gas-powered farm or landscape equipment such as leaf blowers.
Don Walker, Brevard County spokesperson, said that from a county standpoint, “I don’t think we’re going to see any major “enforcement” effort to crack down on landscapers who use gasoline-powered lawn equipment.”
“However, general noise and decibel limit ordinances could always come into play if someone decides to crank up the lawn mower before 8 a.m. on a Sunday, and at that point that’s an issue your neighbor might want you to address with law enforcement or a code enforcement officer,” he said.
“Exercising etiquette and common sense is always the best practice when you decide to tend to your lawn or use a chainsaw when your neighbors are trying to catch up on their sleep.”
Security services
SB 52 centers on the response to the growing number of public shootings nationwide, focusing on security guards in houses of worship.
Already, some congregations allow members with weapons to freely attend services without restrictions.
Now state law allows those who are active, volunteer security guards at churches, mosques and synagogues to carry firearms without any state licensing requirements.
At the 1,600-member Discover Life Church in Melbourne, there’s already a security team, along with personnel hired to watch over the church during weekend services, said Pastor Eric Austin.
“It’s not really impacting us,” Austin said of the new law. “We already hire a police officer and a licensed security guard. It’s something I never thought about as a kid until the Columbine shootings. As a church, we are built to love each other, but we are also committed to keep each other safe.
“It’s disheartening to think that anyone could go into any public place to cause harm.”
J.D. Gallop is a criminal justice/breaking news reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Gallop at 321-917-4641or jgallop@floridatoday.com. X: @JDGallop. C.A. Bridges contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: 120+ new Florida laws kick in July 1. How do they affect you?
Reporting by J.D. Gallop, Florida Today / Florida Today
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By J.D. Gallop, Florida Today | USA TODAY Network
