TAMPA, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis signed another batch of bills and vetoed three on Friday as he continues to look over the final piece of legislation from the 2024 session.
Here are four notable bills that the governor signed:
House Bill 21: Dozier School for Boys and Okeechobee School Victim Compensation
This bill provides $20 million to victims of physical, mental and sexual abuse they endured as children in state custody between 1940 and 1975 and two facilities.
Hundreds of men have detailed abuses at the former state-run reform schools and even deaths of children. When the bill was moving through the legislature, at least 500 former Dozier students came forward to report the abuse at committee hearings.
Applications for compensation must be submitted by Dec. 31, according to the bill’s text. It also authorizes the education commissioner to award a standard high school diploma to a person compensated under this program.
It was voted unanimously by both chambers and will go into effect July 1.
House Bill 849: Veterinary Practices
This new law will allow virtual vet visits for Florida pets.
Veterinarians will be able to prescribe certain medicines and allow telehealth appointments as a regular form of treatment. Current law allows for telehealth only if the pet has been seen in person within a year. But, starting July 1, pets will be able to use telehealth for initial appointments.
The bill was passed unanimously in both chambers.
House Bill 87: Taking of Bears
This controversial bill allows people to shoot a bear on their property in self-defense. Shooters will have to notify the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission within 24 hours of killing the animals and they can't keep or sell the carcasses, according to the bill's text.
The bill was introduced because of a growing number of encounters between people and bears. Bill opponents said that the Florida black bear is a timid animal and unprovoked attacks are rare.
The bill passed 24-12 in the Senate and 83-28 in the House, mostly on party lines. It will go into effect July 1.
House Bill 303: Rabies Vaccinations
Another bill that will go into effect July 1 gives employees of an animal control authority or sheriff to give rabies vaccines to impounded pets that will eventually be adopted.
The vaccine will be able to be administered under the indirect supervision of a veterinarian, who must be available for consultation through telecommunications, but isn't required to physically be there.
This was another bill that was passed unanimously.
Bills that were vetoed
The governor vetoed just three bills:
- HB 317 – Interstate Safety
- HB 821 – Melbourne-Tillman Water Control District, Brevard County
- SB 494 – Graduate Program Admissions
The interstate safety bill would've prohibited people from driving in the furthest left-hand lane unless they are passing another vehicle.
