FL H0211

Amends Section 775.085 to add gender and gender identity to the list of protected characteristics for hate crime reclassification, joining race, color, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, homeless status, and advanced age.

Defines "gender identity" as gender-related identity, appearance, or behavior regardless of whether it differs from the person's physiology or assigned sex at birth.

Establishes automatic offense reclassification based on prejudice motivation, with misdemeanor of the second degree elevated to misdemeanor of the first degree, escalating up to first degree felonies reclassified as life felonies.

Amends Section 775.0863 to revise the definition of "disability" to mean a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, broadening protection for crimes targeting people with disabilities.

Takes effect October 1, 2018, with technical amendments to the Criminal Punishment Code cross-references to incorporate the changes.