SESSION WATCH
Became law HOUSE · SESSION 2026 · CHAPTER 2026-116

No. CS/HB 1407

Commencement of Civil Actions
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SPONSOR
Judiciary Committee; Duggan
FILED BY
Wyman Duggan — District 12, Republican [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
7/1/2026
PROVIDED SUMMARY

Commencement of Civil Actions; Removes requirement that Florida Commission on Human Relations send certain information to certain persons by registered mail; requires certain civil actions to be commenced within specified periods.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Creates a 18-month deadline for filing civil rights lawsuits.

The bill removes the requirement that the Florida Commission on Human Relations send certain notices by registered mail. It simply requires the commission to send the documents.

It establishes a strict deadline for filing civil lawsuits. Plaintiffs must file within one year of a commission decision or an EEOC notice, whichever comes first.

If neither agency acts within 180 days, the plaintiff has 18 months from the initial complaint to file a lawsuit in court.

The bill makes minor wording changes to how attorney fees are described in the statute, but the legal effect remains the same.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 Removes registered mail requirement for commission notices moderates. 760.11(1)

AIThe commission no longer must send copies of complaints and reasonable cause determinations by registered mail; it may use any delivery method.

“The commission, within 5 days of the complaint being filed, shall send a copy of the complaint to the person who allegedly committed the violation.” bill text, line 42 →
§ 2 Adds 18-month outside deadline for filing civil actions majors. 760.11(5)

AIIf the commission or EEOC fails to act within 180 days, a plaintiff may file suit up to 18 months after the initial complaint, even if no reasonable cause determination or right-to-sue notice has been issued.

“a civil action brought under this section may be commenced no later than 18 months after the filing of the complaint.” bill text, line 90 →
§ 3 Shortens filing deadline to the earlier of commission or EEOC action majors. 760.11(5)

AIA plaintiff must file within one year of whichever occurs first: the commission's reasonable cause determination or the EEOC's Notice of Right to Sue.

“no later than 1 year after the date of determination of reasonable cause by the commission or the issuance of a Notice of Right to Sue by the Equal Employment Opportunity” bill text, line 84 →
§ 4 Clarifies attorney fee language moderates. 760.11(5)

AIReplaces "attorney's fee" with "attorney fee" and "The provisions of ss." with "Sections" to align with modern statutory drafting conventions; no substantive change to fee awards.

“the court, in its discretion, may allow the prevailing party a reasonable attorney fee as part of the costs.” bill text, line 71 →
TIMELINE
5/26/2026
Chapter No. 2026-116
5/22/2026
Approved by Governor
5/21/2026
Signed by Officers and presented to Governor
3/9/2026
Ordered enrolled
3/9/2026
In Messages
3/9/2026
CS passed; YEAS 37 NAYS 0 -SJ 691
3/9/2026
Read 3rd time -SJ 691
3/9/2026
Read 2nd time -SJ 691
3/9/2026
Substituted for CS/SB 1096 -SJ 691
3/9/2026
Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
3/9/2026
Withdrawn from Rules -SJ 691
2/18/2026
Received
2/18/2026
Referred to Rules
2/17/2026
In Messages
2/17/2026
CS passed; YEAS 108, NAYS 0
2/17/2026
Read 3rd time
2/17/2026
Added to Third Reading Calendar
2/17/2026
Read 2nd time
2/10/2026
Bill added to Special Order Calendar (2/17/2026)
2/4/2026
Added to Second Reading Calendar
2/4/2026
1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)
2/4/2026
Bill referred to House Calendar
2/3/2026
CS Filed
2/3/2026
Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)
2/3/2026
Reported out of Judiciary Committee
2/3/2026
Favorable with CS by Judiciary Committee
1/30/2026
Added to Judiciary Committee agenda
1/29/2026
Now in Judiciary Committee
1/29/2026
Reported out of Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee
1/29/2026
Favorable by Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee
1/27/2026
Added to Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee agenda
1/15/2026
Now in Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee
1/15/2026
Referred to Judiciary Committee
1/15/2026
Referred to Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee
1/13/2026
1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
1/9/2026
Filed
30 EARLIER →
STATUTES IT CHANGES
s. 760.11
+80 / −12
STAFF ANALYSES