Ten good decisions by the 2024 Legislature
They return to Tallahassee every year. They are old and gray now, and they move a lot more slowly. But their crusade for justice remains as strong as ever.
They still carry the scars of the emotional, physical and sexual abuse they suffered at the state-run Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys in Marianna from 1940 to 1975.
Seven years ago, the Legislature issued a formal apology to the White House Boys, as they are known, for the name of the notorious shack where they were brutalized at the school for juvenile delinquents.
This year, lawmakers allocated $20 million to a fund to compensate victims of the atrocities at Dozier and at a state-run school in Okeechobee County. (Senate Bill 24).
Many Dozier victims fled abusive homes only to be abused again in the state’s care. Some were buried in unmarked graves on the grounds of the school in the forested woods, an hour west of Tallahassee.
Reparations have taken too long, and the money is a pittance compared to the decades-long level of abuse.
But it’s a step forward, and it culminates years of work by state Sen. Darryl Rouson, a St. Petersburg Democrat, and other lawmakers. It stands as one of the better decisions by a 2024 Legislature that too often showed misplaced priorities on issues such as homelessness, home rule and immigration.
As the annual 60-day session ends Friday, here are nine more good deeds by Florida lawmakers, most of which must yet be approved by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Balloons: They make us smile, but they harm the environment. Balloons litter the landscape, can kill birds, and take years to biodegrade. Under a new law, anyone who intentionally releases a helium-filled balloon is subject to a $250 fine under the state’s litter law. Kids age 6 or younger
would be exempt from prosecution (HB 321).
Condo corruption: Condo owners would gain easier access to association documents, such as covenants and rules. Condo boards must improve transparency, condo board members must undergo continuing education and could be criminally prosecuted for kickbacks or fraud, and the state will randomly audit condo boards’ books. Republican state Sen. Jennifer Bradley of Fleming Island, who also championed last year’s mandatory reserves law, has worked tirelessly on condo reform for years and won praise from senators in both parties (HB 59, HB 1021).
Condo safety: In a strong example of bipartisan teamwork, the popular My Safe Florida Home program will expand to condos, making money available for owners to harden their units and seek relief from rising insurance costs. The state budget includes $30 million for the pilot program. That is a lot of money, but it won’t nearly meet the demand. Spearheading this effort were Republican Rep.
Vicki Lopez of Miami and Democratic Rep. Christine Hunschofsky of Parkland (HB 1029).
Criminal histories: In a small but notable departure from its usual toughon-crime stance, the Legislature passed a law that prevents barbers or cosmetologists from being denied state licenses for a criminal record more than three years old (other than a forcible felony). The current law requires a five-year review. Like most bills on this list, it passed both houses unanimously (HB 133).
Home loans: Lawmakers are adding desperately needed consumer safeguards to a statewide program riddled with problems known as PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy). PACE can no longer operate in any county without its approval, and new guidelines will ensure that people don’t get trapped by long-term, high-interest loans. As we editorialized in November, stronger state oversight of PACE was needed and this is a good start, as too many homeowners have been harassed by contractors who use strongarm sales tactics (SB 770).
Jeffrey Epstein: Too much secrecy still obscures the horrific case of Jeffrey Epstein, such as how the serial sexual abuser avoided more serious punishment for his pattern of crimes against teenage girls and young women. A new law, already signed by DeSantis, will lift the veil of secrecy and make public the grand jury testimony in Epstein’s 2006 Palm Beach County case (HB 117).
Political ads: Google requires it; so do other states (Pennsylvania, for one). Florida, too, will require 12-point disclaimers on political ads that use artificial intelligence or A.I., a rapidly emerging trend fraught with risks. DeSantis used A.I.-generated images of Donald Trump in an ad that drew much attention, and criticism (HB 919).
Rape kits: DNA evidence in sexual assault cases, known as rape kits, must be safely retained and stored anonymously for 50 years after collection in all cases, even when no one is prosecuted, to give victims time to change their minds or to solve other crimes. The final version of the bill was sponsored by Sen. Linda Stewart, D-Orlando (SB 764).
Sickle cell: Any expansion of health care access and research is good for Florida. The Department of Health’s Office of Minority Health will oversee a new sickle cell research and treatment grant program to advance treatment of the disease. Sickle cell patients could also opt-in to a state registry (HB 7085).