Florida's Biggest New Laws Taking Effect July 1
Melissa Mogle was five years old when she was murdered in May 2025. The man who killed her had been found guilty of travelling to meet a minor for sex a month earlier — and had been allowed to remain free on bond while awaiting sentencing.
On July 1, that gap in Florida law closes.
Missy's Law — The Bill Built From a Murder
HB 445, known as Missy's Law, is the most consequential piece of legislation in Florida's July 1 batch and the one with the clearest legislative backstory.
Under existing Florida law, bond decisions at first appearance are governed primarily by the charges at arrest — not by a subsequent guilty finding. A person found guilty or who pleads guilty at a later stage can, in some circumstances, remain free until formal sentencing.
Missy's Law closes that specific gap. From July 1, any person who pleads guilty, pleads no contest, or is adjudicated guilty of a "dangerous crime" as defined by Florida statute must be immediately remanded to custody without bond, and must remain in custody until sentencing.
The list of dangerous crimes under the bill is broad: arson, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, child abuse, kidnapping, homicide, manslaughter, robbery, sexual battery, lewd or lascivious assault of a child under 16, stalking, domestic violence, human trafficking, acts of terrorism, CSAM crimes, and trafficking in controlled substances, among others.
The law was named for Melissa Mogle, according to WFLA's reporting. Her killer was in court in April 2025 on charges of travelling to meet a minor for sex. He pleaded guilty. He was released on bond pending sentencing. A month later, Missy was dead.
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Palm Beach International Becomes the Trump Airport
HB 919 officially renames Palm Beach International Airport to the President Donald J. Trump International Airport, subject to Federal Aviation Administration approval and rights holder consent.
The bill preserves the names of Florida's other major commercial service airports, including Tampa International. The FAA approval requirement means the name change is not immediate in all operational contexts — airlines, scheduling systems and signage updates will follow federal regulatory confirmation.
SB 628 separately renames the entirety of State Road 80 to the President Donald J. Trump Highway, one of several new road designations included in the bill.
Domestic Terrorism Organisations — FDLE Gets New Powers
HB 1471, signed by DeSantis in Tampa in April, takes effect July 1. It allows Florida to formally designate groups as domestic terrorism organisations through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Designation triggers criminal penalties for members and, in some circumstances, defunding. The law also bans students who "promote domestic terrorist organizations or foreign terrorist organizations" from receiving public institution funds, and requires college campuses to penalise or expel students who promote terrorism.
The bill has been sharply criticised by civil liberties groups who argue it is unconstitutional on First Amendment grounds.
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Domestic Violence: Repeat Offenders Face Automatic Escalation
HB 277 restructures the penalty framework for domestic violence offences when a prior domestic violence conviction exists on record.
Under the new law, a misdemeanor of the second degree becomes a misdemeanor of the first degree. A misdemeanor of the first degree becomes a felony of the third degree. A felony of the third degree becomes a felony of the second degree. A felony of the second degree becomes a felony of the first degree. And a felony of the first degree becomes a life felony.
The law also establishes a two-year electronic monitoring pilot programme for domestic violence offenders in Pinellas County.
Isaiah's Law — Driving Without a Licence Now Triggers Habitual Offender Status
HB 35, named after 18-year-old motorcyclist Isaiah Raposa from Hillsborough County, who was killed in a hit-and-run in December 2024, redefines the habitual traffic offender designation.
Previously, the designation — which can result in a third-degree felony charge for continued driving — applied to three or more convictions for specific offences in a five-year period. Isaiah's Law adds driving without a valid licence to that list of triggering offences.
Education: Cursive Writing, Special Olympics and Marching Band
CS/CS/SB 182 introduces several new requirements for Florida schools, the most notable of which is mandatory cursive writing instruction for students from third to fifth grade.
Students must be able to form cursive letters properly, write complete sentences in cursive, and demonstrate proficiency by the end of fifth grade.
The same law also requires portraits of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln to be displayed in every public school in each school district.
HB 453 allows students to satisfy high school diploma requirements for both physical education and performing arts by completing two years of marching band. It also allows students who participate in the Special Olympics to fulfil the physical education requirement.
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Data Centres, Pets and Coastal Protection
SB 484 affirms local government authority over planning decisions for large-load customers including data centres, and prevents data centre utility costs from being passed on to average consumers. Water management districts are prohibited from granting water use permits to large data centres under certain circumstances.
SB 1004 requires pet dealers to provide medical records to buyers and reimburse buyers for veterinary treatment of a sick animal within one year of adoption.
SB 302 protects the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve in Manatee County from dredging or filling, a provision that effectively blocked a proposed cruise terminal near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. The same bill allows dredging and filling in parts of Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve under defined conditions.
CS/SB 52 exempts volunteers providing armed security at houses of worship — churches, mosques, synagogues and other places of worship — from standard licensure requirements, provided they serve without compensation.
HB 245 replaces the legal term "child pornography" with "child sex abuse material" across Florida statutes, reflecting the terminology's emphasis on victim status. The definition and elements of the underlying crimes are unchanged.
Key Takeaways
- Missy's Law (HB 445) requires anyone adjudicated guilty of a dangerous crime to be remanded to custody without bond pending sentencing — closing the legal gap that allowed a convicted child predator to remain free long enough to murder a five-year-old.
- HB 919 renames Palm Beach International Airport after President Trump, subject to FAA approval. SB 628 renames SR-80 as the President Donald J. Trump Highway.
- HB 1471 allows Florida to designate domestic terrorism organisations via FDLE and penalise their members — critics say it risks violating First Amendment rights.
- HB 277 automatically escalates criminal charges for repeat domestic violence offenders, and launches electronic monitoring in Pinellas County.
- Isaiah's Law (HB 35) adds driving without a licence to the habitual traffic offender trigger list.
- SB 182 mandates cursive writing from third to fifth grade; HB 453 allows marching band participation and Special Olympics to satisfy PE requirements.
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Rachel Hayes reports on international affairs, geopolitics, and breaking world news. Based in London, she covers stories shaping the UK and global political landscape.
