New Florida laws taking effect Jan. 1, 2026
An overview of Florida laws starting in the new year, including health care changes, pet insurance regulations, and refunds of patient overpayments.
- Jan. 1, Thursday, is both a federal and Florida holiday.
- Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis made Friday, Jan. 2, a state holiday.
- As of Dec. 29, President Trump has not made Jan. 2 a federal holiday.
A new year, 2026, is just days away.
Which raises the question: What days do we get off this week?
Jan. 1, Thursday, is both a federal and Florida holiday. But in 2025, the day comes on a Thursday, making an awkward one-day return to work if Friday isn’t a holiday.
➤ Turn 10 days of PTO into longer breaks away from work. Here’s how
Is Jan. 2 a federal or Florida holiday?
Just because a day is a federal or state holiday doesn’t mean everybody has the day off. That decision is made by each business or employer.
When is New Year’s Day?
New Year’s Eve arrives Wednesday, Dec. 31, followed by the new year, 2026, on Thursday.
Is New Year’s Day a federal holiday?
Yes, New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, is a federal holiday, one of 11 holidays for the year.
Is New Year’s Day a Florida holiday?
Yes, New Year’s Day also is a paid, Florida state holiday.
Is Jan. 2 a federal holiday?
As of Monday, Dec. 29, President Trump has not declared Friday, Jan. 2, a federal holiday.
The president did make the days before and after Christmas federal holidays.
Is Jan. 2 a Florida holiday?
Yes. On Nov. 17, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said state offices will be closed Jan. 2, giving state employees a four-day weekend running from Jan. 1-4.
What are federal holidays in 2026?
There are 11 federal holidays in 2026. According to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, 2026 holidays are:
- Thursday, Jan. 1: New Year’s Day
- Monday, Jan. 19: Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday
- Monday, Feb. 16: Washington’s birthday
- Monday, May 25: Memorial Day
- Friday, June 19: Juneteenth National Independence Day
- Friday, July 3: Independence Day
- Monday, Sept. 7: Labor Day
- Monday, Oct. 12: Columbus Day
- Wednesday, Nov. 11: Veterans Day
- Thursday, Nov. 26: Thanksgiving Day
- Friday, Dec. 25: Christmas Day
Will President Trump make the day before Christmas a federal holiday again in 2026 like he did in 2025? Only time will tell.
What are paid state holidays in Florida for 2026?
According to the Florida Department of Management Services, there are nine paid holidays for state agencies in 2026. The department does not show on its website Jan. 2. In November, DeSantis declared the Friday after New Year’s Day a 2026 holiday for state employees. Listed holidays:
- Thursday, Jan. 1: New Year’s Day
- Monday, Jan. 19: Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday
- Monday, May 25: Memorial Day
- Friday, July 3: Independence Day
- Monday, Sept. 7: Labor Day
- Wednesday, Nov. 11: Veterans Day
- Thursday, Nov. 26: Thanksgiving Day
- Friday, Nov. 27: Day after Thanksgiving
- Friday, Dec. 25: Christmas Day
DeSantis gave employees extra days off around Christmas, New Year’s
On Nov. 17, DeSantis announced state offices will be closed for additional days around Christmas and New Year’s Day, which fall on Thursday in 2025:
- Wednesday, Nov. 26
- Friday, Dec. 26
- Friday: Jan. 2 (giving employees a four-day weekend). State offices will be closed Jan. 1-4.
➤ Florida state employees get more days off for holidays. What to know about DeSantis decision
DeSantis said offices will be closed on the two Fridays after Christmas and New Year’s Day to give employees extra time off.
When do Florida students return to school in January 2026?
When students return to the classroom varies by county and ranges from Jan. 5 to Jan. 8.
Teachers in a few counties return to the classroom Jan. 2, although most were scheduled to return Jan. 5-6 for work or planning days.
➤ See list of Christmas break dates for every Florida county
How to turn 10 days of PTO into 40 days of long breaks
If you schedule your PTO around holidays and combine those days with weekends, you’ll see the days add up for those longer breaks.
See how you can turn 10 days of PTO into 40 days worth of long breaks from Jan. 1-Dec. 25.
