New Florida laws regarding animals and healthcare go into effect on New Year’s Day 2026.
Five new Florida laws passed during the 2025 legislative session are going into effect on Jan. 1, 2026.
One batch of laws went into effect on Oct. 1, and for the New Year, policies range in topic from health to animals. All of them were bipartisan bills and voted on unanimously.
Here’s what they are and what they will do:
New Florida laws 2026
This bill, proposed by Sen. Lori Berman, D-Palm Beach, makes sure Florida state employee health insurance covers diagnostic and supplemental breast exams without any out-of-pocket costs.
That means no copays, deductibles or coinsurance.
Senate Bill 1808 requires health care facilities and health care practitioners to refund any overpayments made by patients within 30 days.
If a health care facility fails to refund the payment on time, it can be fined up to $500 per violation. If a doctor or other practitioner fails to refund it, it can be a disciplinary issue.
It was sponsored by Sen. Colleen Burton, R-Winter Haven.
This bill, by Sen. Tracie Davis, D-Jacksonville, shortens the time insurance companies have to demand repayment from psychologists and other health care providers.
Insurers generally have up to 30 months currently to ask a provider to return money, and now they will have to do it within 12 months. The companies can only request repayment after a year if the provider was convicted of insurance fraud.
Animal Cruelty Database (HB 255)
While “Dexter’s Law,” named after the dog found decapitated in Pinellas County, went into effect back on July 1, 2025, one major portion of the law is set to begin on Jan. 1, 2026
Starting on New Year’s Day, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement must post a searchable list of people who have been convicted or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to animal cruelty charges.
Since July, Dexter’s Law has allowed a sentencing multiplier for animal abuse crimes. An offender could face harsher penalties in severe cases of abuse.
House Bill 655, sponsored by Rep. Kaylee Tuck, R-Lake Placid, requires pet insurers to make their policies clearer. The companies have to explain how they decide claim payments, disclose any required medical exams for pets and allow customers to review the policy and return it within a certain time if they don’t want it.
Pet insurers can also offer policies that exclude coverage for a preexisting condition if they can prove the condition was preexisting. They can also create waiting periods for certain illnesses and conditions. Finally, they can require a medical exam after a policy is purchased, but not for renewing the policy.