Broward County Commission Regular Meeting

MOTION TO AUTHORIZE Broward County Commission on the Status of Women to join the Florida Hate Crime Coalition, provided that the Commission on the Status of Women must not express any formal position of the County or otherwise bind the County without formal approval of the Board of County Commissioners (“Board”) at a duly noticed Board meeting. (Commissioner Geller)

ACTION:  (T-11:16 AM)  Approved.

VOTE:  8-0.  Commissioner Sharief was not present.

Board approval is necessary to authorize the Commission on the Status of Women to join an organization.

Authorizes the Commission on the Status of Women to join the Florida Hate Crime Coalition.

The Florida Hate Crime Coalition was established in 2016 by the Anti-Defamation League and supports legislation to strengthen Florida’s hate crime laws.
 
Currently, Florida’s hate crime laws do not protect individuals who are targeted because of physical disability, gender, or gender identity. They also do not protect against “association with” crimes, where the victim is targeted because of his or her association with members of a particular group.
 
In recent years, Florida has seen a significant increase in the number of hate crimes. Strengthening Florida’s hate crime laws through the passage of bills such as House Bill 743 and Senate Bill 940 is thus crucial to protecting our citizens. Through this item, the Board of County Commissioners authorizes the Broward County Commission on the Status of Women to join the Florida Hate Crime Coalition and support its mission of advocating and calling for stronger hate crime laws that increase the safety of all Broward County residents.
 
On April 9, 2019, the Board authorized the Broward County Human Rights Board to join the Florida Hate Crime Coalition.