Several Florida laws went into effect this week after being signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis following the 2025 legislative session. Let's take a look at a few of them.
SB 150: Abandoning Restrained Dogs During Natural Disasters
Better known as "Trooper's Law," SB 150 makes it a third-degree felony to abandon an animal during a natural disaster, such as a hurricane or tornado. The law gained traction after a Bull Terrier later named "Trooper" was found tied to a fence post during Hurricane Milton in October 2024.
Sen. Don Gaetz (R-Pensacola) sponsored the bill in the Senate.
SB 168: Mental Health
Dubbed the "Tristan Murphy Act," SB 168 creates new diversion programs for criminally appropriate defendants suffering from mental illnesses to enter treatment programs instead of incarceration. The law is named after Tristan Murphy, who suffered from schizophrenia, paranoia, and delusions before taking his own life at a Florida state prison in September 2021.
Sen. Jennifer Bradley (R-Fleming Island) sponsored the bill in the Senate.
HB 757: Sexual Images
The law makes it a second-degree felony for a person to possess, generate, or promote a sexual image with the intent to promote it without consent. HB 757 also makes it
Reps. Mike Redondo (R-Miami) and Jennifer Kincart Jonsson (R-Lakeland) sponsored the bill in the House.
HB 687: Driving and boating offenses
Known as "Trenton's Law," HB 687 increases penalties for driving under the influence (DUI) and boating under the influence (BUI) manslaughter from a second-degree felony to a first-degree felony if a person has a previous conviction for either. The law also makes it a second-degree misdemeanor if a person refuses a breathalyzer or urine test for a DUI arrest.
The law is named after Trenton Stewart, a Stetson University student who was killed by an impaired driver going the wrong way on a Jacksonville road in 2023.
Reps. Kim Kendall (R-St. Augustine) and Rachel Plakon (R-Lake Mary) sponsored the bill in the House.
HB 1121: Unmanned Aircraft and Unmanned Aircraft Systems
The law prohibits Floridians from operating a drone over or near a critical infrastructure facility, as well as a drone with a weapon or firearm attached to it. HB 1121 also bans a person from using a drone to conduct surveillance on another person or their private property with the intent to share that surveillance.
Rep. Jennifer Canady (R-Lakeland) sponsored the bill in the House.
