Contracting

SB 492 amends Florida law to establish minimum penalties for unlicensed contracting violations. It requires courts to impose at least 15 days in jail or 12 months of probation for individuals committing offenses listed in Section 489.127(1), such as falsely claiming licensure, operating without a permit, or using a suspended registration. The bill clarifies that contractors operating with inactive or suspended licenses are still considered unlicensed. These changes apply to anyone violating contractor licensing rules, directly affecting unlicensed contractors who engage in prohibited activities. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.