Florida HB 143: Protection of Vulnerable Investors

Bill Text

HB 143 2026

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb143-00
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

A bill to be entitled 1
An act relating to offenses evidencing prejudice; 2
amending s. 775.085, F.S.; requiring the 3
reclassification of offenses evidencing prejudice 4
based on the political ideology of the victim; 5
providing penalties; providing an effective date. 6
7
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 8
9
Section 1. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section 10
775.085, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 11
775.085 Evidencing prejudice while committing offense; 12
reclassification.— 13
(1)(a) The penalty for any felony or misdemeanor shall be 14
reclassified as provided in this subsection if the commission of 15
such felony or misdemeanor evidences prejudice based on the 16
race, color, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, 17
national origin, homeless status, or advanced age, or political 18
ideology of the victim: 19
1. A misdemeanor of the second degree is reclassified to a 20
misdemeanor of the first degree. 21
2. A misdemeanor of the first degree is reclassified to a 22
felony of the third degree. 23
3. A felony of the third degree is reclassified to a 24
felony of the second degree. 25

HB 143 2026

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb143-00
Page 2 of 2
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

4. A felony of the second degree is reclassified to a 26
felony of the first degree. 27
5. A felony of the first degree is reclassified to a life 28
felony. 29
Section 2. This act shall take effect October 1, 2026. 30