HB 0215 2003
1	CHAMBER ACTION
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6	The Committee on State Administration recommends the following:
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8	Committee Substitute
9	Remove the entire bill and insert:
10	A bill to be entitled
11	An act relating to the Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992;
12	creating s. 760.021, F.S.; authorizing the Attorney
13	General to commence a civil action to obtain damages or
14	other relief for a civil rights violation under certain
15	circumstances; providing for attorney’s fees and costs;
16	amending s. 16.57, F.S.; authorizing the Attorney General
17	to investigate violations under ch. 760, F.S.; amending s.
18	760.02, F.S.; changing the threshold for an employer
19	subject to the Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992; providing
20	an effective date.
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22	Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
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24	Section 1. Section 760.021, Florida Statutes, is created
25	to read:
26	760.021 Enforcement.--If the Attorney General has
27	reasonable cause to believe that:
28	(1) Any person or group of persons is engaged in a pattern
29	or practice of discrimination as defined by the laws of this
30	state; or
31	(2) Any person or group of persons has been discriminated
32	against as defined by the laws of this state and such
33	discrimination raises an issue of general public importance,
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35	the Attorney General may commence a civil action in any
36	appropriate court for damages, injunctive relief, civil
37	penalties not to exceed $10,000 per violation, and such other
38	relief as may be appropriate under the circumstances. Any
39	damages recovered under this section shall accrue to the injured
40	person or group of persons. The Attorney General is entitled to
41	an award of reasonable attorney’s fees and costs if the
42	Department of Legal Affairs prevails in an action brought under
43	this section.
44	Section 2. Section 16.57, Florida Statutes, is amended to
45	read:
46	16.57 Office of Civil Rights.--There is created in the
47	Department of Legal Affairs an Office of Civil Rights. The
48	office may investigate and initiate actions authorized by
49	chapter 760s. 760.51. In investigating violations of
50	constitutional and statutory rights under chapter 760s. 760.51,
51	the Attorney General may administer oaths and affirmations,
52	subpoena witnesses or matter, and collect evidence.
53	Section 3. Subsection (7) of section 760.02, Florida
54	Statutes, is amended to read:
55	760.02 Definitions.--For the purposes of ss. 760.01-760.11
56	and 509.092, the term:
57	(7) "Employer" means any person employing 1015or more
58	employees for each working day in each of 20 or more calendar
59	weeks in the current or preceding calendar year, and any agent
60	of such a person.
61	Section 4. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law.
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