The proposed bill, titled the "Gay and Transgender Panic Legal Defenses Prohibition Act," aims to prohibit the use of gay and transgender panic defenses in criminal proceedings. It establishes that a nonviolent sexual advance or any perceptions or beliefs regarding an individual's sexual orientation, gender expression, or gender identity cannot be used as a justification for criminal behavior, nor can they mitigate the severity of an offense during sentencing. The bill includes definitions for "gender expression," "gender identity," and "sexual orientation" to clarify the terms used within the legislation.

The bill emphasizes that such defenses undermine the responsibility of perpetrators for the harm inflicted on lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender individuals. By enacting this legislation, the Florida Legislature seeks to eliminate the legitimacy of these defenses in court, thereby promoting accountability and protecting the rights of marginalized communities. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.