Governor DeSantis’ Framework for Freedom Budget Invests in Florida’s Small Business and Professional Communities
DBPR Press Release

Governor DeSantis’ Framework for Freedom Budget Invests in Florida’s Small Business and Professional Communities

June 16, 2023

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Yesterday, Governor Ron DeSantis signed the Framework for Freedom Budget, demonstrating his commitment to enhancing Florida’s business climate and ensuring public safety through protection of residents and visitors from financial crimes.

“Governor DeSantis understands the importance of supporting our state’s small businesses and streamlining pathways for Floridians to start meaningful and successful professional careers,” said Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Secretary Melanie S. Griffin. “Through the Framework for Freedom Budget, the Department will be able to make important improvements to better serve our growing number of licensees and protect Floridians from fraudulent activity.”

Funding for DBPR initiatives include:

  • $4.3 million for customer-centric technological improvements to modernize the licensee portal, streamline the licensure process and get Floridians into the workforce faster.
  • $3.5 million for identify verification software to protect consumers against business and professional license fraud, ensuring those doing business in Florida are both legally qualified and skilled for the job.
  • $1 million for an in-state tourism marketing campaign to encourage Floridians to explore the state and boost small businesses year-round.
  • More than $165,000 to enhance law enforcement training and equipment necessary to more efficiently enforce the state’s alcoholic beverage and tobacco laws.

For budget highlights, click here.

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The Department of Business and Professional Regulation licenses and regulates more than 1.6 million businesses and professionals in the State of Florida across more than 30 fields of industry. The Department’s mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly. For more information, visit MyFloridaLicense.com. Follow @FloridaDBPR on Twitter and Facebook, @Florida.DBPR on Instagram and Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation on LinkedIn for important information and updates on matters relating to Florida’s business and professional licensing.

June 16, 2023 /  
Governor Ron DeSantis Signs Legislation to Support Small Businesses and Enhance Florida’s Pro-Business Climate
DBPR Press Release

Governor Ron DeSantis Signs Legislation to Support Small Businesses and Enhance Florida’s Pro-Business Climate

June 9, 2023

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis signed HB 869 into law, which provides sweeping updates that allow the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) to streamline processes for Florida’s valuable licensed professionals and businesses.

“With the Governor’s leadership and the investment of the Florida Legislature, Florida’s business and professional community will continue to grow and thrive in the Free State of Florida,” said DBPR Secretary Melanie S. Griffin. “These important updates will enable DBPR to better serve our more than 1.6 million licensees.”

HB 869, DBPR’s agency bill, allows enhancements to operational efficiencies, clarifies regulatory requirements and improves licensure and renewal options for agency stakeholders throughout the state. Updates include:

Licensing

  • Qualified, eligible professionals who have held a valid mold-related or asbestos license from another state or territory may obtain their professional license in Florida by endorsement.
  • The application deadline under the state’s grandfathering provision has been eliminated for eligible locally registered electrical, alarm system and specialty contractors seeking to obtain licensure as statewide certified contractors.
  • Package stores licensed to sell beer, wine and liquor for consumption off the premises will now be able to sell nicotine products.
  • All restaurant and lodging establishment licensees must now provide an email address to the DBPR Division of Hotels and Restaurants to serve as the primary point of contact for matters related to their license.
  • DBPR may now issue a hardship exemption to allow applicants and licensees to opt-out of the online account requirement.
  • Transient lodging establishments are undergoing modernizations by allowing guests to register electronically and eliminating requirements for individual guest signatures.

Florida Building Code

  • If energy code compliance software is not approved by the Florida Building Commission at least three months before the updated Building Code’s effective date, the Building Commission may delay the effective date of the energy provisions of the Building Code for up to three additional months.

Florida Vacation Plan and Timesharing Act

  • Certain requirements for the offering of incidental benefits in the sale of a timeshare plan have been eliminated.
  • The period for voiding a contract for which the closing unlawfully occurred before the cancellation period’s expiration is now extended from one year to five years, and retains the one-year right for a purchaser to void a contract if he or she knowingly or unknowingly waived their right to cancel the contract within the 10-day cancellation period.
  • The public offering statement has been revised to allow the developer’s description of each component site for a multisite timeshare plan to be provided to the purchaser electronically.

Florida Athletic Commission

  • Participants in exhibition matches are no longer subject to the maximum participant weight differential requirement for all exhibition matches, allowing any exhibition to include participants that weigh more or less than 12 pounds from their opponent.

For more information, view the bill summary highlights or the full bill text.

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The Department of Business and Professional Regulation licenses and regulates more than 1.6 million businesses and professionals in the State of Florida across more than 30 fields of industry. The Department’s mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly. For more information, visit MyFloridaLicense.com. Follow @FloridaDBPR on Twitter and Facebook, @Florida.DBPR on Instagram and Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation on LinkedIn for important information and updates on matters relating to Florida’s business and professional licensing.

June 9, 2023 /  
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Celebrates World Food Safety Day 2023
DBPR Press Release

The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Celebrates World Food Safety Day 2023

June 7, 2023

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) proudly celebrates World Food Safety Day, which brings awareness and support to manage foodborne risks, and helps to improve human health.

“Ensuring the safety of food for our residents and visitors is an important public health priority, and DBPR continuously improves our inspection processes to catch risk factors for foodborne illnesses before people get sick,” said DBPR Secretary Melanie S. Griffin. “Thanks to the high quality and detailed inspection practices of the DBPR Division of Hotels and Restaurants, the state has seen a reduction of more than 80% in suspected or confirmed foodborne illness outbreaks over the past 25 years.”

The DBPR Division of Hotels and Restaurants licenses more than 63,000 public food service establishments in Florida including food trucks, vending machines, hot dog carts, caterers, culinary education programs, theme park food carts and restaurants.

Each public food service establishment regulated by DBPR is required to have between one and four unannounced inspections each year to ensure compliance with all state sanitation and safety laws.

Since the beginning of the 2022-23 fiscal year, DBPR has:

  • Conducted more than 117,900 inspections at public food service establishments across the state;
  • Cited approximately 642,700 observed food safety or sanitation violations; and
  • Investigated more than 13,800 complaints regarding public food service establishments.

To verify a public food service establishment’s DBPR license, view an establishment’s inspection history or to file a consumer or foodborne illness complaint, visit the DBPR website at MyFloridaLicense.com.

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The Department of Business and Professional Regulation licenses and regulates more than 1.6 million businesses and professionals in the State of Florida across more than 30 fields of industry. The Department’s mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly. For more information, visit MyFloridaLicense.com. Follow @FloridaDBPR on Twitter and Facebook, @Florida.DBPR on Instagram and Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation on LinkedIn for important information and updates on matters relating to Florida’s business and professional licensing.

June 7, 2023 /  
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Celebrates National Police Week 2023
DBPR Press Release

The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Celebrates National Police Week 2023

May 19, 2023

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – This week, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) proudly celebrates National Police Week, which honors and recognizes the sworn law enforcement officers who have dedicated their lives to keeping civilians safe.

DBPR is proud to have the second oldest law enforcement agency in the State of Florida, the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (ABT) Bureau of Law Enforcement, which celebrated its 90th anniversary on Monday, May 8, 2023.

“It is with great pride and gratitude that DBPR celebrates National Police Week and thanks all of the law enforcement officers in the state who keep each of us safe every day,” said DBPR Secretary Melanie S. Griffin. “Governor DeSantis leads the way in supporting our state’s brave law enforcement officers, including ABT’s 105 sworn officers, and ensures they have the resources they need to keep Floridians, businesses and visitors protected. The work our officers do is both physically and emotionally demanding, and we appreciate their heroic efforts and dedication to the great State of Florida.”

Under the leadership of Governor DeSantis, DBPR is one state agency tasked with the important initiative of protecting Americans from human trafficking. To combat this unfortunate, evolving crime, ABT Law Enforcement actively investigates the nexus between licensees and human trafficking. The Bureau has been a vital part of several federal human trafficking cases in recent months, identifying hundreds of potential victims from human trafficking.

During the past year, ABT Enforcement has kept Floridians and businesses safe by:

  • Planning and executing more than 9,800 stings, including:
    • More than 5,600 for alcohol-related incidents,
    • Nearly 4,000 for tobacco-related incidents, and
    • Almost 250 for nicotine-related incidents;
  • Identifying nearly 60 violations for illegally selling alcohol without a license;
  • Reporting more than 280 violations for selling a tobacco product to a person under the age of 21; and
  • Catching nearly 900 violations for the sale of alcohol to a person under 21.

To learn more about ABT’s Bureau of Law Enforcement, visit MyFloridaLicense.com.

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The Department of Business and Professional Regulation licenses and regulates more than 1.6 million businesses and professionals in the State of Florida across more than 30 fields of industry. The Department’s mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly. For more information, visit MyFloridaLicense.com. Follow @FloridaDBPR on Twitter and Facebook, @Florida.DBPR on Instagram and Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation on LinkedIn for important information and updates on matters relating to Florida’s business and professional licensing.

May 19, 2023 /  
ICYMI: Governor Ron DeSantis Signs Legislation to Combat Human Trafficking
DBPR Press Release

ICYMI: Governor Ron DeSantis Signs Legislation to Combat Human Trafficking

May 18, 2023

LIGHTHOUSE POINT, Fla. — On Tuesday, May 16, Governor Ron DeSantis signed four bills to combat human trafficking, raise awareness of the signs and impacts of human trafficking, and impose critical reforms to hold human traffickers accountable.

Stop Human Trafficking

“Biden’s Border Crisis is exacerbating human trafficking across the nation—72% of all human trafficking victims are illegal immigrants and 60% of unaccompanied alien children crossing the border were caught by cartels and exploited for drug trafficking, or worse,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “While the federal government continues to ignore the people that are suffering due to its failed policies, Florida continues to act. I am signing this legislation to better protect vulnerable children, ensure businesses are taking steps to identify and eliminate trafficking and to give victims a way to fight back against their abusers.”

“The Biden Administration’s reckless border policies have facilitated human trafficking and knowingly aided traffickers. As Biden fails to secure our border, Governor DeSantis continues to step in to protect Floridians,” said Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez. “We have enacted significant measures to ensure Floridians are not being subjected to this heinous crime. Traffickers are not welcomed in our state, and we will use the fullest extent of the law to hold them accountable.”

“Governor DeSantis is a strong leader in our fight to end human trafficking and rescue victims,” said Attorney General Ashley Moody. “I am proud to fight alongside him as we strengthen laws to stop human traffickers and help survivors heal.”

“At DCF, we take seriously our role in protecting Floridians from human trafficking and ensuring victims receive the recovery services they need to not only survive, but thrive,” said Department of Children and Families Secretary Shevaun Harris. “We send a strong and clear message to the people of Florida, thanks to the DeSantis administration, we will always fight for survivors of human trafficking and we will not allow this evil to permeate our communities. Our Department stands ready to enhance outreach, amplify messaging on reporting signs of trafficking, and doing all we can to ensure quality safe home availability for both children and adults.”

Governor DeSantis signed Senate Bill (SB) 7064, Human Trafficking, which supports victims of human trafficking and strengthens penalties for human traffickers by:

  • Establishing a civil action for victims of human trafficking against traffickers and providing that victims can recover damages and attorney’s fees from adult entertainment establishments.
  • Allowing seized property from a human trafficker to be sold and proceeds be paid as restitution to victims.
  • Requiring adult establishments to verify the identity and ages of all employees and establishing a third-degree felony for owners or operators of adult establishments that do not retain such records.
  • Requiring offenders of prostitution, lewdness or related acts to attend an educational course on the impacts of human trafficking and negative impacts of commercial sex on people and their communities.

The Governor also signed SB 1690, Sexual Exploitation and Human Trafficking, which expands human trafficking awareness programs and increases human trafficking victim support by:

  • Cracking down on repeat violators of human trafficking awareness requirements by shortening the cure period for an initial violation from 90 days to 45 days and imposing daily fines for any subsequent violation.
  • Requiring residential treatment centers for children to place signs on their premises to warn children about the dangers of human trafficking and to demonstrate avenues for reporting instances of human trafficking.
  • Mandating the Statewide Council on Human Trafficking to conduct a study and make recommendations regarding the regulation of adult safe houses, which provide housing and care specifically for survivors of human trafficking.
  • Ensuring security measures for safe houses and safe foster homes includes detection of possible trafficking activity, coordination with law enforcement, and emergency response plans to search for absent or missing children.
  • Requiring safe houses and foster homes to give kids age-appropriate programming to educate them on the signs and dangers of commercial sexual exploitation and human trafficking, approved by the Department of Children and Families.

Also signed today was HB 1465 which, among other provisions, makes human traffickers eligible for mandatory minimum sentences when they possess or discharge a firearm during the course of their crimes.

Additionally, the Governor signed SB 1210 which provides that a petition for human trafficking victim expunction and all pleadings and documents related to the petition are confidential and exempt from public records requirements.

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The Department of Business and Professional Regulation licenses and regulates more than 1.6 million businesses and professionals in the State of Florida across more than 30 fields of industry. The Department’s mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly. For more information, visit MyFloridaLicense.com. Follow @FloridaDBPR on Twitter and Facebook, @Florida.DBPR on Instagram and Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation on LinkedIn for important information and updates on matters relating to Florida’s business and professional licensing.

May 18, 2023 /