NEW LAWS, INCLUDING ONE LIMITING A MINOR’S ACCESS TO SOCIAL MEDIA, ARE DUE TO TAKE EFFECT IN FLORIDA ON JANUARY 1, 2025
Social Media Access for Minors
Beginning in 2025, websites that feature adult content will be required to verify that visitors are 18 or older. This law will also require social media companies to shut down accounts belonging to children under the age of 14. Parents and guardians can also request for their young children’s accounts to be deleted. Fourteen and fifteen year olds must have a parent or guardian’s permission to become a social media account holder. Accounts without parental approval will be deleted.
A court case is underway disputing the new law. The lawsuit alleges the law violates the First Amendment by forcing Floridians to provide their personal data to access online content, or protected speech. It may also create a cybersecurity risk.
Voter Registration Application Changes
Floridians looking to change their party affiliation will need to take an extra step to do so.
Beginning January 1, registered voters must designate the party change in writing. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles will also be required to make sure its technology does not allow for changes without it designated in writing. The agency must provide proof of changes with a written receipt.
Protecting First Responders from Threats
A new Florida law bars individuals from approaching working first responders. Anyone told to stay back from a first responder must remain 25 feet away and may not:
• Impede or interfere with the first responder’s ability to perform such duty;
• Threaten the first responder with physical harm; or
• Harass the first responder.
Violating the new law is second degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to 60 days in jail.
Financial Protection for Vulnerable Adults
A new Florida law aims to protect vulnerable adults from financial exploitation. The law allows vulnerable adults, such as those with disabilities and those 65 and older, to delay transactions made from their accounts. The delay would last up to 15 days and can be extended for an additional 30 days. The financial institution would be required to complete an internal review of the transaction to review why the employee believed the vulnerable adult was being exploited.
