New Florida laws now in effect

FLORIDA — The new year means new laws are in effect across Florida.

Here are three new measures of which to be aware:

Cough medicines: A new law cracks down on the sale of certain cough medicines to people under the age of 18. If the cough medicine contains the synthetically produced dextromethorphan, it will be illegal to sell to minors. Identification will be required from people younger than 25.

Dextromethorphan is found in many cough medicines, including Robitussin, Alka Seltzer Plus, Tylenol Cough & Cold and Vicks NyQuil.

The law was proposed following reports teenagers use cough medicine to get high.

Opioid insurance coverage: SB 422 prohibits insurance policies that cover opioid medications, with exceptions, from requiring prior authorization for abuse-deterrent versions of the medications.

Financial institutions: SB 1104 allows financial institutions to designate locations or registered agents where delivery can be made for documents such as summonses or subpoenas.

The law was crafted in response to a 2010 ruling by the 4th District Court of Appeal.

News Service Florida contributed to this article.

Cox Media Group