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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Florida House has voted to add homeless people to the state’s hate crimes law.
The bill (HB 11) passed 88-28 Tuesday. It now goes to the Senate, where a similar bill (SB 506) is ready for a floor vote.
One opponent, Rep. Paige Kreegle, R-Punta Gorda, called homeless people “bums” and questioned why they should have more protection than his wife and children.
The sponsor, Rep. Ari Porth, D-Coral Springs, argued they are especially vulnerable because they have no home in which to be safe.
The hate crime law now increases penalties for attacks motivated by a victim’s race, color, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, mental or physical disability or advanced age.
