Fact check: Florida's new squatters laws are surprisingly reasonable and may soon become a model for mother states.

1. Summary of the results

Florida's House Bill 621 (HB 621), signed by Governor Ron DeSantis in March 2024, represents a significant reform of squatter rights laws ^[1]. The law fundamentally changes how unauthorized property occupancy is handled by:

• Treating squatters as criminal trespassers rather than potential tenants ^[2]
• Allowing immediate law enforcement intervention for removing squatters ^[3]
• Introducing criminal charges for false property claims ^[3]
• Implementing felony charges for squatters causing over $1,000 in damages ^[3]

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several important contextual elements are missing from the original statement:

• Implementation Timeline: The law is set to take effect on July 1st, 2024 ^[2], not immediately. This is crucial for property owners and law enforcement to understand when the new provisions become applicable.
• Specific Legal Framework: While the law strengthens property owners' rights, it still maintains a framework for legitimate adverse possession claims ^[4]. This suggests the law isn't simply anti-squatter but attempts to balance different legal interests.
• Enforcement Mechanisms: The law introduces specific conditions and limitations that need precise application ^[5], indicating it's more complex than simply being "reasonable."

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The characterization of the law as "surprisingly reasonable" requires scrutiny:

• Political Context: The law is being promoted by Governor DeSantis as a way to "put an end to the squatters scam" ^[6], suggesting potential political motivations behind its characterization.
• Beneficiaries:
• Property owners benefit significantly through streamlined eviction processes and immediate legal recourse ^[1]
• Law enforcement agencies gain expanded authority to handle squatting situations ^[6]
• Politicians may benefit from portraying themselves as protecting property rights
• Model State Claim: While the law does represent a trend of strengthening property owner protections nationwide ^[7], it's too early to determine if it will become a model for other states, as implementation challenges and legal challenges have yet to be observed.

The statement's characterization of the law as "reasonable" appears to primarily reflect the perspective of property owners while potentially overlooking impacts on other stakeholders or potential implementation challenges.