The bill amends Florida Statutes to expand the definition of crimes evidencing prejudice by including acts based on the gender of the victim, alongside existing categories such as race, ethnicity, religion, and sexual orientation. It specifies that crimes will be reclassified if they are committed in whole or in part due to the actual or perceived characteristics of the victim, which now includes gender, mental or physical disabilities, and other specified traits. The bill also revises the definitions of "mental or physical disability" and "victim," ensuring that organizations and governmental entities can also be considered victims if their property is damaged due to prejudice.

Additionally, the bill modifies the penalties for felonies and misdemeanors that are committed with prejudice, mandating reclassification of offenses based on the victim's characteristics. The language changes include replacing "shall" with "must" for clarity and updating the definitions to reflect contemporary understanding of prejudice. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
H 1029 Filed: 775.085, 775.0863, 817.034