TALLAHASSEE — Sixty-five new state laws go into effect today. They include an electronic tracking system to reduce the illicit sale and abuse of prescriptions drugs; requiring felony suspects to provide DNA samples; a limit to lawyer fees in workers' compensation cases; and allowing state universities to put up columbaria for the ashes of deceased alumni.

Florida, the most populous of 12 states without a prescription tracking system, now has until Dec. 1, 2010, to get a system going.

Florida also will join 13 other states that collect DNA samples of felony suspects upon arrest. Samples previously were taken only after someone was convicted. The law will be phased in.

Other laws tighten the leash on local governments and law enforcement agencies.

One prohibits "crash taxes" — fees for causing wrecks. Another prohibits local governments from spending public money to sway voters on ballot issues.

Law enforcement agencies will be required to adopt policies protecting confidential informants under a law named for 23-year-old Rachel Hoffman, who was murdered in a drug sting while helping Tallahassee police.


[Last modified: Jun 30, 2009 10:41 PM]