Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a bill into law on Wednesday aimed at addressing the issue of residential squatters in the state. The new legislation aims to streamline the process for homeowners to request the removal of unauthorized individuals from their properties.

Dubbed as the "squatter scam," this new law is set to bring significant changes to the eviction process. Governor DeSantis emphasized the importance of this legislation, stating, "The squatter scam ends today with my signature on this piece of legislation, and the state of Florida will be better for it."

The bill, known as HB 621, not only simplifies the eviction process but also imposes harsh penalties on individuals involved in squatting and those who encourage or teach others about the scam. These penalties seek to deter and discourage individuals from engaging in such activities.

Effective from July 1, homeowners will now be able to fill out a form and submit it to their local sheriff, who will then be instructed to remove unauthorized occupants from the property. Prior to the implementation of this bill, squatters were granted certain rights as tenants, resulting in a lengthy and complex eviction process.

Governor DeSantis drew a contrast between other states like New York and California, stating, "Today in the state of Florida, we say very simply what passes muster in New York and California is not passing muster here. You are not going to be able to commandeer somebody's private property and expect to get away with it."

The new law aims to protect homeowners' rights, ensuring that individuals cannot take over someone else's property and go unpunished. By expediting the eviction process, the legislation aims to provide greater security and peace of mind to homeowners across Florida.

The signing of this bill has been met with mixed reactions, with proponents applauding the strengthened stance against squatting, while critics express concerns over potential cases of mistaken identity and resulting injustices.

With this new legislation, Florida joins other states in taking a proactive approach to combat residential squatting. Governor DeSantis believes that this law will effectively curtail the activities of squatters and create a safer environment for homeowners throughout the state.