Bill > S0658

This bill mandates enhanced water safety measures for residential and vacation rental properties in Florida, requiring landlords and public lodging establishments licensed as vacation rentals to install specific safety features if a dwelling unit is within 150 feet of a "water body" (defined as water at least 24 inches deep) or has a swimming pool on its premises. These features include exit alarms on exterior doors and windows or self-closing, self-latching devices on doors, and at least one pool safety feature as defined by state law. The bill establishes criminal penalties for noncompliance, classifying violations as second-degree misdemeanors, but provides exceptions if a tenant or their guest removes or modifies safety features without the landlord's knowledge and the landlord corrects the issue within 45 days. It also exempts nontransient apartments from these requirements and mandates that vacation rental establishments file a certificate of compliance upon licensure and renewal, with the Division of Hotels and Restaurants authorized to suspend licenses and impose fines for violations, and requires the division to adopt rules to implement these provisions, with the law taking effect on July 1, 2026.