TIMELINE: News 6 investigation changes Florida law on safe lithium-ion battery storage

Nov 08, 2024

Erik Sandoval, Manager of Content and Coverage

ORLANDO, Fla. – A News 6 investigation resulted in a new law that allows the State Fire Marshal to establish new safety rules for storing and charging lithium-ion batteries.

Here is the timeline of how our investigation progressed:

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April 19, 2019

A DeBary mother contacted News 6 after her son’s laptop computer started smoking, sparking, and leaking battery acid.

January 2023

A fire starts deep inside a trash trailer at the Seminole County Solid Waste Transfer Station in Longwood. It was later determined to be started by discarded lithium-ion batteries.

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June 20, 2023

A fire at a New York City e-bike store that killed four people was determined to have been caused by lithium-ion batteries.

September 19, 2023

A News 6 investigation exposes Florida’s lack of safety guidelines and protocols for safely storing and charging lithium-ion batteries, The director of the State Fire Marshal’s Office tells News 6 “It scares the daylights out of me.”

October 3, 2023

News 6′s investigation captures the attention of State Senator Linda Stewart, who contacts the State Fire Marshal’s Office to start work on changing the law.

December 12, 2023

Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis issues an alert warning consumers about holiday gifts with lithium-ion batteries.

January 11, 2024

A bill is submitted in Tallahassee that would give the State Fire Marshal the ability to craft new safety rules.

January 25, 2024

An e-bike battery explodes and sparks a house fire in Brevard County.

February 22, 2024

The bill in Tallahassee heads for a final vote in the state house and senate.

March 6, 2024

After being passed by both the state house and state senate, the bill giving the State Fire Marshal new powers heads to the governor for his signature.

May 2, 2024

Gov. Ron DeSantis signs the legislation into law, clearing the way for new safety rules to be written.

May 16, 2024

The process officially begins to craft new safety rules for storing and charging lithium-ion batteries.

September 5, 2024

News 6 obtains a draft copy of the new rules proposed by the State Fire Marshal as it holds its first public hearing in Tallahassee.

October 30, 2024

A hybrid car erupts in flames near a private school in Brevard County.

November 1, 2024

A lithium-ion battery causes a house fire in Altamonte Springs.

November 5, 2024

A Palm Bay home catches fire as a result of large lithium-ion batteries.

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