TALLAHASSEE (AP) -
Two new Florida laws aimed at protecting children have gone into effect.
Legislation stemming from a sexual abuse cover-up at Penn State University and the death of 2-year-old Caylee Anthony in Orlando are among about 30 new Florida statutes effective Monday.
Public or private colleges and universities could be fined up to $1 million for knowingly failing to report child abuse under a wide-ranging child protection law.
It requires any individual suspecting a child has been abused to report it to the Florida Abuse Hotline - 1-800-962-2873 - or 911 if there's an immediate danger.
Tampa attorney Anthony Rickman says this law is a big deal, and joined us on the 5 p.m. newscast to discuss it. You can watch his analysis on Florida's "Penn State law" in the video player above.
