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CHAMBER ACTION |
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The Committee on Judiciary recommends the following: |
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Committee Substitute |
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Remove the entire bill and insert: |
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A bill to be entitled |
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An act relating to the Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992; |
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creating s. 760.021, F.S.; authorizing the Attorney |
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General to commence a civil action to obtain damages or |
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other relief for a civil rights violation under certain |
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circumstances; providing for attorney’s fees and costs; |
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amending s. 16.57, F.S.; authorizing the Attorney General |
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to investigate violations under ch. 760, F.S.; providing |
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an effective date. |
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Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: |
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Section 1. Section 760.021, Florida Statutes, is created |
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to read: |
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760.021 Enforcement.--If the Attorney General has |
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reasonable cause to believe that:
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(1) Any person or group of persons is engaged in a pattern |
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or practice of discrimination as defined by the laws of this |
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state; or
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(2) Any person or group of persons has been discriminated |
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against as defined by the laws of this state and such |
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discrimination raises an issue of general public importance,
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the Attorney General may commence a civil action in any |
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appropriate court for damages, injunctive relief, civil |
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penalties not to exceed $10,000 per violation, and such other |
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relief as may be appropriate under the circumstances. Any |
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damages recovered under this section shall accrue to the injured |
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person or group of persons. The Attorney General is entitled to |
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an award of reasonable attorney’s fees and costs if the |
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Department of Legal Affairs prevails in an action brought under |
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this section.
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Section 2. Section 16.57, Florida Statutes, is amended to |
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read: |
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16.57 Office of Civil Rights.--There is created in the |
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Department of Legal Affairs an Office of Civil Rights. The |
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office may investigate and initiate actions authorized by |
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chapter 760s. 760.51. In investigating violations of |
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constitutional and statutory rights under chapter 760s. 760.51, |
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the Attorney General may administer oaths and affirmations, |
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subpoena witnesses or matter, and collect evidence. |
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Section 3. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law. |
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