This bill amends several sections of Florida Statutes to expand the grounds for reclassifying crimes that evidence prejudice. Specifically, it includes acts based on the gender and gender identity of any person, in addition to existing categories such as race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation. The reclassification will occur if the crime is based in whole or in part on these specified characteristics. The bill also revises definitions related to disability, replacing the term "mental or physical disability" with simply "disability," and provides a clearer definition of what constitutes a disability.

Additionally, the bill mandates that the Governor collect and disseminate data on incidents of criminal acts evidencing prejudice based on the newly included categories, including gender identity and disability. This data collection will enhance the reporting requirements for law enforcement agencies, ensuring that incidents reflecting prejudice are documented and made available for analysis. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
S 450 Filed: 775.085, 775.0863, 877.19