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More than 100 new Florida laws are now in effect

From a big state budget to ways to fight the opioid crisis, several new Florida laws went into effect at midnight.
Credit: Thinkstock Photos
Florida Capitol in Tallahassee

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- The calendar reads 2018, but Florida is about to usher in a brand new fiscal year with at least 100 new laws on the books.

Gov. Rick Scott signed 193 laws from the state's legislative session that ended in March, vetoing two, according to the News Service of Florida. The majority of those go into effect Sunday, July 1, while others are effective later this year or 2019.

Here are some of the new laws coming soon -- click/tap here for a full list:

Multi-billion dollar budget

The bill that keeps the state running is an $88.7 billion budget for the new fiscal year. Annual per-pupil spending increases by about $101 more per student, most of which is tied to a gun and school safety bill.

More: 10 Things to know about Florida's new budget

Lawmakers also approved increased spending on Medicaid funding and payments to nursing homes. About $100 million is approved for the Florida Forever program, which allows the state to purchase environmentally-sensitive land. For beaches damaged by Hurricane Irma, at least $11 million will go toward restoration efforts.

Funding will help cover a three-day, tax-free holiday in August where sales taxes will not be charged on most clothes and school supplies.

Beach access

Private property owners with beachfront property now have the ability to decide whether they can allow the public to use it.

The new law is the first of its kind in the country and goes against Florida's long-standing "customary use" policy, which states that beaches belong to the public. State officials say the law creates a process for local governments to establish customary use through the courts.

Here's an easy way to tell if you can use the beach that appears to be on someone's property: if the sand is wet, you can use it as you please.

Child marriage

People younger than age 18 will no longer be able to get married. However, an exception is given for 17-year-olds who have written consent from a parent or guardian. The minor then will not be able to marry people more than two years older.

Judges also may issue licenses to even younger minors if they have children or are pregnant, much to the dismay of advocates.

Previously, teens aged 16 and 17 were able to get marriage licenses with parental consent. 10News helped to bring the issue to state lawmakers, highlighting the story of Sherry Johnson. She was raped as a child, impregnated by age 10 and was married to her rapist by age 11.

Daylight Saving Time

State lawmakers -- with Gov. Scott in support -- moved the state to observe Daylight Saving Time for the entire year, but don't change the clocks just yet: The U.S. Congress has the final say.

Opioids and controlled substances

In addition to $53 million for treatment and drugs aimed to help people recover from addiction, this law puts a limit on opioid prescriptions and requires new training for doctors who prescribe such drugs.

Patients with acute pain would be limited to a three-day supply of prescription opioids, like Oxycontin and Fentanyl, or a seven-day supply if a doctor considers it "medically necessary."

The limits would not apply to patients with pain related to cancer, terminal illness, trauma or chronic pain.

Schools

Voucher-like scholarships will be available to send public school students to private schools, according to the News Service of Florida, published in the Bradenton Herald. One program, called "hope scholarships," will allow students who are bullied in public schools to transfer to private schools.

It would be funded by people who opt to contribute the sales tax they would normally pay on vehicle transactions to fund the scholarships.

Workers compensation benefits for first responders

First responders dealing with mental injuries, commonly PTSD, will have benefits extended to them. Previously, they only were granted workers compensation benefits for physical injuries.

Tampa resident Megan Vila was honored at the annual conference for the International Association of Fire Fighters for helping to get the law passed. Her brother died by suicide after serving the Tampa Fire Department for about 30 years.

The Associated Press and information from the News Service of Florida contributed to this report.

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