Bill > H0271

This bill expands Florida's legal provisions related to hate crimes and prejudice-based offenses by modifying several existing statutes. The bill broadens the definition of criminal offenses that can be reclassified to a more serious degree when they are motivated by prejudice, now including gender and gender identity as protected characteristics. It defines "gender identity" as a person's gender-related identity, appearance, or behavior, regardless of whether it differs from their assigned sex at birth. The bill also updates the definition of "disability" to mean a physical, psychological, or intellectual impairment that substantially limits a person's major life activities, replacing the previous more restrictive language. Additionally, the bill requires the Governor, through the Department of Law Enforcement, to collect and report data on criminal acts evidencing prejudice, expanding the reporting to include new categories like gender identity and disability. Importantly, the bill specifies that for a crime to be reclassified, it must be based "in whole or in part" on the specified characteristics of any person, which broadens the potential application of enhanced penalties. The changes aim to provide more comprehensive legal protection against hate crimes and prejudice-based offenses, with the new provisions set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Justice

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/271