SESSION WATCH
Died HOUSE · SESSION 2026

No. HB 1535

Crimes Evidencing Prejudice Against Disabled Adults
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SPONSOR
Weinberger
FILED BY
Meg Weinberger — District 94, Republican [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
7/1/2026
DIED IN
Criminal Justice Subcommittee

Filed under Criminal Justice.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Crimes Evidencing Prejudice Against Disabled Adults; Requires reclassification of penalty for crime if commission of crime evidences prejudice based on victim being disabled adult.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Adds disability to hate crime penalty enhancements.

Florida law already raises penalties when a crime shows prejudice against a victim's race, religion, or other listed traits. This bill adds one new trait: being a disabled adult.

A disabled adult is defined as someone 18 or older with a developmental disability, organic brain damage, mental illness, or physical or mental limitations restricting daily living.

If a crime evidences prejudice based on the victim being a disabled adult, the penalty is reclassified one level higher, up to a life felony.

The change applies to both misdemeanors and felonies, matching the existing structure for other protected characteristics.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 Expanded Hate Crime Penalty Reclassification majors. 775.085(1)

AIIncreases the severity of penalties for crimes committed against disabled adults.

“or prejudice based on the victim being a disabled adult:” bill text, line 20 →
§ 2 Definition of Disabled Adult majors. 775.085(1)(b)

AIEstablishes the legal criteria for who qualifies as a disabled adult for penalty enhancement purposes.

“"Disabled adult" means an individual 18 years of age or older who suffers from a condition of physical or mental incapacitation due to a developmental disability, organic brain dam” bill text, line 34 →
TIMELINE
3/13/2026
Died in Criminal Justice Subcommittee
1/15/2026
Now in Criminal Justice Subcommittee
1/15/2026
Referred to Judiciary Committee
1/15/2026
Referred to Justice Budget Subcommittee
1/15/2026
Referred to Criminal Justice Subcommittee
1/13/2026
1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
1/9/2026
Filed
1 EARLIER →
STATUTES IT CHANGES
s. 775.085
+66 / −0