This year, over 200 new Florida laws were approved as part of the latest Legislative session.

While the vast majority of these laws have already taken effect, there are a select few that are set to kick off starting on New Year’s Day.

Only three of these new laws will go into effect in full. However, a couple of other new laws that already took effect will have some of their provisions finally take effect, as well.

News4JAX sister station WKMG in Orlando compiled the list of laws set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2026:

HB 255 — Animal Cruelty Database

House Bill 255 establishes harsher penalties for animal cruelty, which includes intentionally torturing an animal to death.

While the legislation first kicked off in July, the law requires the FDLE to post a searchable database on its websi

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