New Laws Going into Effect October 1, 2025 in Florida

Several new Florida laws are bringing significant changes to criminal offenses involving motor vehicles, law enforcement encounters, and public safety. These updates expand law enforcement authority in certain situations and increase penalties for a range of offenses, making it more important than ever for drivers to understand their rights and responsibilities.

Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Law Enforcement (HB 113)

House Bill 113 changes the requirements for law enforcement vehicles involved in pursuits. Under the new law, officers are no longer required to display agency insignia on their vehicles in certain fleeing or eluding situations. The bill also increases the severity ranking for specific fleeing-related offenses under Florida’s Criminal Punishment Code, potentially leading to harsher sentences upon conviction.

Motor Vehicle Offenses and License Plate Violations (HB 253)

HB 253 increases penalties for several vehicle-related offenses. The law makes it a more serious crime to use certain vehicle lighting improperly and elevates penalties for altering, covering, or obscuring license plates. Knowingly altering or tampering with license plates, registration certificates, or validation stickers is now a second-degree misdemeanor. The law also criminalizes the buying, selling, or use of devices designed to conceal license plates.

Tampering with Electronic Monitoring Devices (HB 437)

This legislation revises penalties for tampering with electronic monitoring devices. It establishes specific penalties for individuals under 18, requires automatic revocation of pretrial release for those who tamper with monitoring devices while on release, and allows courts to issue new bonds under defined conditions.

Leaving the Scene of a Crash Involving Property Damage (HB 479)

HB 479 authorizes courts to order restitution when a driver leaves the scene of a crash involving damage to another person’s vehicle or property. A violation constitutes a second-degree misdemeanor, and courts may require convicted drivers to compensate affected property owners.

DUI, BUI, and Homicide Offenses (HB 687)

House Bill 687 increases penalties for DUI manslaughter, BUI manslaughter, and vehicular or vessel homicide when the offender has prior qualifying convictions. The law also requires individuals to be informed that refusing a breath or urine test can result in criminal charges. A first refusal is now a criminal offense and is ranked on Florida’s Criminal Punishment Code severity chart.

These legislative changes significantly raise the stakes for drivers and individuals facing criminal charges. At Michael P. Maddux, P.A., we closely monitor changes in Florida law to protect our clients’ rights and provide informed, aggressive defense when it matters most.