Florida S1388 expands hate crime definitions and penalties, and mandates data collection on prejudice-based offenses.

Florida S1388 amends state statutes to expand the definition of offenses evidencing prejudice to include gender, gender identity, and homeless status. It mandates reclassification of certain offenses to higher penalties if they are based on these characteristics. The bill also revises the definition of "disability" and requires the Governor, through the Department of Law Enforcement, to collect and disseminate data on incidents of criminal acts that evidence prejudice based on gender, race, religion, ethnicity, color, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or national.

Florida S1388 expands hate crime definitions and penalties, and mandates data collection on prejudice-based offenses.

Florida S1388 amends state statutes to expand the definition of offenses evidencing prejudice to include gender, gender identity, and homeless status. It mandates reclassification of certain offenses to higher penalties if they are based on these characteristics. The bill also revises the definition of "disability" and requires the Governor, through the Department of Law Enforcement, to collect and disseminate data on incidents of criminal acts that evidence prejudice based on gender, race, religion, ethnicity, color, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or national.