FL H0143

Adds "political ideology" to Florida's hate crime statute (s. 775.085, F.S.) as a protected category alongside race, color, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, homeless status, and advanced age

Crimes motivated by prejudice based on the victim's political ideology would be reclassified to more serious offenses with enhanced penalties

Penalty enhancements include: second-degree misdemeanors become first-degree misdemeanors; first-degree misdemeanors become third-degree felonies; third-degree felonies become second-degree felonies; second-degree felonies become first-degree felonies; first-degree felonies become life felonies

Effective date: October 1, 2026