FL S0072

Creates the "Fair Employment Opportunity Act" to prohibit employers and employment agencies from discriminating against unemployed persons in hiring and referral decisions.

Prevents employers from refusing to consider unemployed applicants, publishing job advertisements that exclude the unemployed, or directing employment agencies to screen out unemployed candidates.

Prohibits employment agencies from refusing to consider or refer unemployed persons, limiting their access to job information, or publishing advertisements that disqualify the unemployed.

Allows the Attorney General to bring civil actions for damages, injunctive relief, and civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation, with prevailing parties entitled to recover reasonable attorney fees and costs.

Provides an exception allowing consideration of unemployment status when prior employment in a similar or related job is a bona fide occupational qualification reasonably necessary for successful job performance; effective July 1, 2013.