A dozen new Florida laws take effect Oct. 1, from a smoke-shop ban on nitrous oxide to making rental fraud a felony.

A dozen new Florida laws take effect on Oct. 1, WUSF reports, and several reach into everyday life. Meg's Law, SB 432, bans the sale of nitrous oxide at smoke shops and gas stations, where it is commonly sold in brightly colored canisters with flavors ranging from blue raspberry to cotton candy. The law is named for Kathleen Dial's sister, Meg, who died at 29 as a result of her addiction to the gas. "Meg was the baby of our family," Dial said. Under HB 1293, lying about your identity, providing false documents or impersonating someone to rent a place to live becomes a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison. Under HB 397, the Victim Safety in Pretrial Release Act, a person accused of a violent crime who willfully violates a no-contact order can be charged with a first-degree misdemeanor, carrying up to a year behind bars; more violations would lead to third-degree felonies. HB 559 toughens animal cruelty laws, including a required psychological evaluation for a minor who commits animal cruelty. HB 429 lengthens the list of indicators used to identify a "criminal gang member," adds admitting to it online, and cuts the number of times someone must be seen with known gang members for that association to count, from four to two. A bill analysis says the changes may increase prosecutions. SB 246 requires groups behind new specialty license plates to submit a design and a five-year financial projection within 60 days. Why it matters at home: if you or someone in your family is protected by a no-contact order, violations carry new penalties starting Oct. 1, so report every one to police. And if you run a smoke shop or gas station, make sure the nitrous oxide is off your shelves by then.