Gov. DeSantis signs three new bills into law

On Monday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed three new bills into law dealing with antisemitism, Jewish schools and balloons. HB 187The first bill, HB 187, aims to clearly define antisemitism under state law. The state will adopt the definition originally laid out by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. Antisemitism will be defined in Florida as "a certain perception of Jewish individuals which may be expressed as hatred toward such individuals. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish and non-Jewish individuals and their property and toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities."The bill goes on to include specific, but not limiting, examples of antisemitism. These include calling for the killing or harming of a Jewish individual, making dehumanizing comments about Jewish individuals and Holocaust denial. HB 1109HB 1109 deals with funding security for Jewish day schools and preschools. It says the Department of Education should establish a program to provide funds for security hardening to such schools to better protect their students. The law will allow law enforcement the ability to conduct a risk assessment and purchase security cameras, lighting and fences based on individual school needs. HB 321The final bill, HB 321, makes it illegal for Florida residents to release balloons "inflated with a gas that is lighter than air" into the atmosphere. This does not include Scientific or meteorological balloons released by the governmentHot air balloons that are properly recoveredBalloons released indoorsPunishments for illegal balloon releases do not apply to those six years old or younger, and they follow previously established littering guidelines. All of these bills will take effect on July 1.