DeSantis signs 2 bills into Florida law on Wednesday: What we know about each

ORLANDO, Fla. - UPDATE: In a move to strengthen animal welfare protections, Governor Ron DeSantis signed two major pieces of legislation – Dexter's Law and Trooper's Law – on Wednesday morning. The signing took place at Big Dog Ranch Rescue in Loxahatchee. You can see his full remarks here.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the bill aiming to ban elementary and middle school students from using cellphones throughout the entire school day had not been signed.

Original story below:

Gov. Ron DeSantis is expected to sign three bills into Florida law on Wednesday. Here's what we know about each.

Dexter's Law

What we know:

HB 255, or Dexter's Law, strengthens punishments in animal cruelty cases, especially in particularly horrific instances. It expands current law by not only prohibiting offenders from owning pets but also recognizing animals as actual victims. Under this law, offenders could face significant prison time.

The backstory:

The legislation is named after Dexter, a rescue dog who was adopted and later reportedly killed by his adopter, Domingo Rodriguez, according to authorities. Supporters of the bill believe public rallies and advocacy played a key role in pushing prosecutors to pursue the case seriously.

A Pinellas County jury found Domingo Rodriguez guilty of aggravated cruelty to animals and unlawful disposal of bodies of dead animals. Rodriguez is accused of decapitating a 4-year-old bulldog mix, Dexter, and dumping his body just days after adopti

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Read the legislation in its entirety below or click here.

Trooper's Law

What we know:

SB 150, or Trooper's Law, is a measure focused on animal welfare during emergencies. It makes abandoning a restrained animal during a natural disaster a third-degree felony. Offenders could face up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

The backstory:

Trooper's Law is named after a dog discovered by a Florida Highway Patrol trooper just before Hurricane Milton. The dog had been left tied to a fence along I-75.

Owner of dog tied to pole during Hurricane Milton arrested

The owner of a dog, who was found tied to a pole and standing in flooded water during Hurricane Milton, has been arrested and charged with animal abuse. FHP found the dog, now named "Trooper", on Wednesday, hours before Hurricane Milton made landfall near Tampa. The alleged suspect told authorities that he was headed to Georgia to escape the hurricane and admitted to leaving the dog behind.

Read the legislation in its entirety below or click here.

Banning student cell phone use during school day

HB 1105 would prohibit elementary and middle school students from using cellphones throughout the entire school day. It builds on an existing state law that bans phone use during instructional time. Additionally, it would launch a pilot program in six counties to extend the ban to high schools during the full school day.

Read the legislation in its entirety below or click here.

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