Florida bans local heat requirements for workers in effort to protect economy

City and county governments in Florida will not be able to mandate heat protection rules for outside workers due to a bill signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) on Monday.

In addition to barring local governments from setting a minimum wage higher than state or federal, House Bill 433 prevents municipalities from setting their own heat protection standards. A statewide standard for heat protection does not exist in Florida, but the bill relies on guidelines from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. However, state and local government workers are not covered by federal OSHA.