CS/HB 255 — Florida Commission on Human Relations
by Civil Justice Subcommittee and Rep. Antone (SB 726 by Senator Rouson)
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee (GO)
The Florida Commission on Human Relations (Commission) is comprised of 12 members appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the Senate. Currently, there are only 6 members active on the Commission. The bill reduces the quorum for conducting Commission business from seven to six members. The bill also allows the Commission to nominate fewer than 10 people for the Florida Civil Rights Hall of Fame each year.
The bill requires the Commission to provide notice to an aggrieved person of their failure to determine reasonable cause if the Commission fails to make a determination within one year of the complaint’s filing, and revises various deadlines and time constraints regarding the Commission’s fact-finding investigation period for a retaliation claim.
The bill removes the requirement that facilities and communities designed for the housing of elderly must register with the Commission and renew such registration every two years, and removes associated fees and fines. It also removes the requirement that the Commission or Attorney General investigate public housing discrimination complaints, and increases the time period the Attorney General has to resolve a complaint regarding discriminatory practices of certain clubs.
If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect July 1, 2020.
Vote: Senate 37-0; House 116-0