FL H0239

Adds "sexual orientation" and "gender identity or expression" as protected classes under the Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992, alongside existing protections for race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, handicap, and marital status

Expands discrimination protections to cover not only actual characteristics but also "perceived" characteristics in employment, housing, public accommodations, and public lodging/food service establishments

Defines "sexual orientation" as actual or perceived heterosexuality, homosexuality, or bisexuality; defines "gender identity or expression" as gender-related identity, appearance, expression, or behavior regardless of assigned sex at birth

Provides explicit exceptions for religious organizations to condition employment or public accommodation opportunities to members or those who subscribe to their tenets, and preserves constitutional free exercise of religion protections

Effective date of July 1, 2014