About 160 Florida statutes go on the books today. Here are few:
HB 353 requires welfare applicants to take drug tests at their own expense. If they pass, they will get reimbursed. If they fail, they cannot get benefits for at least a year and could face child abuse charges.
HB 7095 sets penalties for doctors who over-prescribe painkillers and tightens rules for operating pharmacies.
HB 1039 outlaws bath salts.
Two abortion bills, HB 97 excludes abortion from policies obtained through insurance exchanges that states will be required to set up under the federal health care overhaul. HB 1127 requires women, in most cases, to undergo ultrasound exams before getting an abortion.
Expect phone service to go up, HB 1231 deregulates landline telephone service.
Department of Education expands online learning options and requires students who enter high school this fall to take at least one virtual course before they graduate (HB 7107).
School voucher program is expanded by including children with lesser afflictions such as allergies, asthma and diabetes under the program that lets disabled students attend private schools at taxpayer expense (HB 1329).
Under SB 1546, Charter schools will get more training and technical assistance. The higher performing charter schools will get longer contracts and other benefits.
Droopy drawers will be banned under SB 228
Photos, videos and audio recordings of deaths are exempt from the state’s public records law (HB 411)
Department of Economic Opportunity is created as the Department of Community Affairs goes away(SB 2156).
