Florida News that impacts you – June 24th
Bottom Line: Your daily recap of the some of the biggest news from around the state that impacts you in South Florida.
- Governor DeSantis signed 23 bills into law Tuesday, bringing the total to 91 of 190 bills passed by Florida’s Legislature during the state session.The new laws include: SB 82 - Individuals with Disabilities, HB 7011 - Student Athletes, HB 1259 – Incarcerated Pregnant Women, HB 1213 - Educational Instruction of Historical Events, HB 199 - Sexual Battery Prosecution Time Limitation, HB 1213 – Holocaust & Ocoee Massacre education & HB 1039 Ride Share Advertising Act
- Florida’s board of Governors approved reopening plans for all Florida state universities for the fall semester. While there are some differences based on schools, polices commonly include mandatory face masks on campus, 50% reductions in on-campus class sizes, expanded online options, restrictions on Greek life activities and regular student screenings which will likely include temperature checks.
- The Florida Department of Health has ordered a review of the use of ICU beds after 11 hospitals reported full capacity for ICU beds due to the recent surge in COVID-19 cases statewide. Six of the hospitals are in South Florida. The Department of Health indicated some hospitals may be using ICU beds for non-critical care.
- Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation is stepping up enforcement efforts against businesses which aren’t adhering to state and local safety protocols during reopening. The stepped-up enforcement could lead to offending businesses being forced to temporarily shutter and in the case of a Jacksonville bar, The Knight's Pub, which had 41 people test positive after numerous violations – the loss of their liquor license. Speaking of businesses...
- According to a new study from Chief Executive Magazine, Florida ranks as the second-best state to own and operate a business – trailing only Texas.