Vaping bill, other legislation now on Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk

Legislation is now on Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk that would  enact a constitutional amendment banning vaping in workplaces, create a public-records exemption for home addresses for civilian police employees, and  boost penalties for harming police animals,

The items are among 10 bills sent over Monday by the Legislature and now awaiting the governor’s signature or veto.

The vaping bill – SB 7012 – would enact a constitutional amendment that voters approved in November forbidding use of vapor-generating electronic devices in enclosed workplaces. People will be allowed to  vape in places where smoking is allowed, including in vape shops.

The police animal  bill – SB 96 – follows the shooting deaths of police dogs in Duval and Palm Beach counties by criminal suspects. Intentionally causing great bodily harm or killing a police, fire, or search-and-rescue dog or a police horse would become a second-degree felony, punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

Existing law shields personal identification and home addresses for cops and their family members. The public-records exemption bill – SB248 – would extend these exemptions to civilian workers at police agencies.