The bill amends several sections of Florida Statutes to expand the grounds for reclassifying offenses 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 of offenses will occur if the crime was motivated in whole or in part by these characteristics. The bill also revises definitions related to disability, replacing the term "mental or physical disability" with simply "disability," and clarifies that offenses against individuals with disabilities will also be subject to reclassification based on prejudice.

Additionally, the bill mandates that the Governor collect and disseminate data on incidents of criminal acts evidencing prejudice based on a broader range of characteristics, including gender identity and disability. This data collection will enhance the reporting requirements for law enforcement agencies. The effective date for the bill is set for October 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
H 1117 Filed: 775.085, 775.0863, 817.034, 877.19