Rep. Kevin Chambliss

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new section in Florida law that officially defines the term "antisemitism" using the working definition adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance in 2016. The legislation provides specific contemporary examples of antisemitism, such as denying the Holocaust, holding Jewish people collectively responsible for actions by Israel, or applying double standards to the State of Israel compared to other nations. It explicitly states that criticizing Israel in a manner similar to how other countries are criticized does not count as antisemitism under this definition. The law aims to help monitor and report hate crimes while ensuring it does not infringe on First Amendment rights or conflict with existing antidiscrimination laws.

Dozier School for Boys and Okeechobee School Victim Compensation Program; Establishes Dozier School for Boys & Okeechobee School Victim Compensation Program within DLA; requires DLA to provide specified notice & accept & process applications for payment of compensation claims; requires DLA to pay specified compensation amount to approved applicants; limits compensation applicant may receive; authorizes Commissioner of Education to award standard high school diploma to specified persons. APPROPRIATION: $20,000,000

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Florida's residential tenancy laws by formally defining "Florida financial institution" to include specific types of banks and credit unions with insured deposits. It requires landlords holding tenant security deposits or advance rent to place those funds in separate accounts at these approved institutions, either in non-interest-bearing accounts or interest-bearing accounts where tenants receive at least 75% of the interest earned or a 5% annual rate. The legislation also clarifies that fees or bonds used instead of traditional security deposits are not classified as security deposits and updates fire safety requirements for certain multi-story lodging and timeshare buildings. These changes directly affect landlords, tenants, and financial institutions operating within the state.

HIV Infection Prevention Drugs; Authorizes licensed pharmacists to screen for HIV exposure & order & dispense HIV infection prevention drugs in accordance with written supervisory protocol; requires Board of Pharmacy to adopt rules.

Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day; Designates Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day, which occurs on fourth Thursday in March, as legal holiday.

Special Observances; Designates each November as "Veterans Appreciation Month"; removes provisions relating to Veterans Week; authorizes Governor to issue proclamation with specified information.

Online Protections for Minors; Requiring social media platforms to prohibit certain minors from creating new accounts; requiring social media platforms to terminate certain accounts and provide additional options for termination of such accounts; providing conditions under which social media platforms are required to prohibit certain minors from entering into contracts to become account holders; authorizing the Department of Legal Affairs to bring actions under the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act for knowing or reckless violations; authorizing the department to issue and enforce civil investigative demands under certain circumstances, etc.

Reduction in Black Female and Women's Maternal Mortality Grant Program; Establishes Reduction In Black Female & Women's Maternal Mortality Grant Program within DOH; provides purpose & requirements for program; & provides appropriation. APPROPRIATION: $5,000,000

Flood Zone Disclosures for Dwelling Units; Requires landlords to make specified disclosures relating to flood zones before commencement of tenancy; requires landlords to notify current tenants of change in dwelling unit's flood zone designation.

Florida Academic Scholars Award; Requires students awarded Florida Academic Scholars award within Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program to receive additional funds in certain semesters for textbooks.