Kids get kicked off social media (and other new Florida laws that take effect Jan. 1)

Miami Herald | By Ana Ceballos | December 12, 2024

A series of new laws — including changes to how and whether minors will be allowed to use social media — will take effect in the state of Florida on Jan. 1.

Here is a rundown of what to know about the new legal changes:

Social media restrictions for most kids in Florida

Starting with the new year, a new law will require all companies with adult content on their websites to verify that all of their visitors are 18 years or older.

At the same time, the law will require social media platforms to find and shut down the accounts of children younger than 14. Kids who are 14- and 15-years-old will be allowed to have accounts only if they have the permission of a parent or guardian.

Attorney General Ashley Moody, however, has said the state will hold off on enforcing the new rules until late February, when the first stage of an ongoing court battle is done. The court challenge was filed by NetChoice and the Computer & Communications Industry Association, whose members include several tech giants such as Meta, Pinterest and Google.

Party affiliation changes will need an extra step

Floridians have long had the opportunity to register to vote or update their voter registration record when they apply for or renew their driver’s license or identification cards at the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

A new law aims to ensure that applicants’ party affiliations are not changed without their written consent.

The changes are meant to address an issue that emerged in Palm Beach County, where software used by the DHSMV to update a person’s voter registration information incorrectly changed some voters’ political party affiliation to no party affiliation. The issue: applicants left a portion of a registration update form related to party affiliation blank.

The new law will require the DHSMV to ensure that its software does not alter an applicant’s party affiliation without written consent.

After verifying the voter registration information and receiving the applicant’s electronic signature, the DHSMV must now give the applicant a printed receipt that includes the submitted voter registration information and any change in party affiliation.

New rules to protect first responders from threats

Individuals could face a second-degree misdemeanor if they do not stand at least 25 feet from a first responder who verbally warns them to back off while the responder is working.

Under the new law, the individual would face criminal penalties if they stay too close, with the intent to block or interfere with the first responder’s ability to perform their duty; harass; or threaten the first responder with physical harm.

A second-degree misdemeanor under the new law would be punishable by up to 60 days in jail.

Higher fees for healthcare providers

Florida healthcare providers will be paid higher fees to provide expert testimony during a deposition on a worker’s compensation claim. Instead of $200 per hour, they will now be paid $300 per hour.

Licensed physicians will also get higher reimbursements for surgical procedures. Their fees will be increased from 140% to 200% of the reimbursement allowed by Medicare.

The new law is expected to result in an estimated 7% increase — or $300 million — in overall workers’ compensation system costs, according to the analysis of the legislation.

More protections from financial exploitation

If a financial institution reasonably believes that a vulnerable adult is being financially exploited they will be allowed under state law to delay transactions made from their accounts.

Under the new law, vulnerable adults are 65 years and older and adults whose ability to perform normal daily activities is impaired by mental, emotional or physical disabilities.

If the financial institution delays a transaction, it would be required to do an internal review of the circumstances that led the employee to reasonably believe the adult was being exploited or that it was being attempted.

The delay of a disbursement or transaction would expire in 15 days, but may be extended for an additional 30 days in certain cases.