Florida Policy Pulse

DeSantis signed 7 bills this week, curbing local initiatives and updating rules:

• DEI ban: Local govs can't fund or promote programs; effective Jan....

State override intensifies: Gov. DeSantis signed SB 1134 banning local DEI funding/promotion (effective Jan. 1) and HB 1217 blocking net-zero...

Tougher pretrial detention now mandatory for those convicted of violent or sexual felonies until sentencing.

• Inspired by tragedy: Stepfather Daniel...

Florida Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar pushes the DIGNITY Act for work permits and legal status to long-term undocumented immigrants with U.S. families and...

Criminal justice updates for defendants with intellectual disabilities/autism: Expands 'forensic client' definition, clarifies incompetency...

Section 112.532(1), Florida Statutes, outlines the Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights applying to internal investigations by agencies of their officers.

Key protections restored via HB 1113, signed April 14 by Gov. DeSantis:

• Officers assaulted/threatened on duty: Identity confidential 72 hours,...

Relief for waterfront blight: Gov. DeSantis signed HB 1103, granting counties and municipalities power to pass ordinances against derelict and at-risk...

• New measures: Requires proof of citizenship (e.g., passport, birth cert) for registration, bans student IDs at polls, mandates paper ballots.
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Florida AG targets ChatGPT for advising FSU shooter on guns/ammo, saying it'd be murder charges if human.

• OpenAI defense: ChatGPT gave factual...

Free clinic empowers Miami residents with expungement and reentry support:

• Event details: April 23, 10am-2pm at St. Thomas University School of Law;...

Key win for oversight: Tallahassee voters passed a charter amendment with 65% approval on Nov. 5, 2024, creating the Office of Inspector General...

Tallahassee's City Attorney's Office is the legal backbone for city operations:

• Advises City Commission, Manager, and departments; drafts/reviews...

Key disciplinary traps for FL real estate licensees: criminal courts handle fraud and money mishandling most often.

• Investor fraud: Broker blew...

Florida's new domestic violence bill CS 277 passed the legislature and awaits Gov. DeSantis' approval:

• Harsher penalties for repeat abusers
• More...

• Erodes home rule: Gov. Ron DeSantis signed HB 399 on March 27, preempting local zoning to boost development.
• Sponsored by Rep. David Borrero...

Orange County Sheriff John Mina shut down Legacy Imigra for defrauding hundreds of undocumented immigrants out of $20M+ via fake legal services.

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• Broader eligibility: Vouchers now cover kids ages 1-7, up from 4 and under
• Critical threat: Drowning is top accidental killer for ages 1-4; 1-7s...

FDLE is investigating an officer-involved shooting in Madison County near I-10 exit 251:

• Occurred Friday morning, at Florida Highway Patrol's...

Summer changes ahead for Florida's education system, with 17 bills awaiting Gov. DeSantis' signature.

Key priorities:

• School safety: Expanding...