Five new laws expanding health insurance and animal protections take effect in Florida January 1, 2026. One law ensures Florida state employee health insurance plans cover diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations without any out-of-pocket costs. Another law requires doctors and health care facilities to refund patient overpayments within 30 days or face fines up to $500 per violation. "Dexter’s Law” is named after a 4-year-old dog found decapitated in Pinellas County 4 days after he was adopted from a shelter. It requires the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to create the first-ever state animal cruelty data base for anyone convicted of animal cruelty charges. The person will remain in the database for at least a decade. The man convicted in Dexter’s death was sentenced to a year and 60 days in jail. He has since bonded out while awaiting an appeal related to his sentencing.
Lend a Helping Can raises money for 12 New England charitable agencies to feed the Needy and Homeless.
