FL H0655

Adds gender and gender identity to Florida's hate crime law, allowing penalty enhancements for crimes motivated by prejudice based on these characteristics

Defines "gender identity" as a person's gender-related identity, appearance, or behavior, regardless of whether it differs from that traditionally associated with their physiology or assigned sex at birth

Simplifies the disability hate crime statute by replacing "mental or physical disability" with "disability," defined as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities

Expands protected class language from "victim" to "any person," covering crimes motivated by prejudice toward someone other than the direct victim

Effective date: October 1, 2020