FloridaFlorida law sets deadlines for discrimination lawsuits
Florida law sets deadlines for people bringing discrimination lawsuits: one year after an agency finding or notice, or 18 months if neither arrives within 180 days.
What it does
A civil lawsuit must be filed within one year of the commission’s reasonable-cause finding or the federal agency’s right-to-sue notice, whichever comes first. If neither arrives within 180 days after the complaint, the person has 18 months from filing the complaint.
Argument forThe deadlines could help people and employers know how long someone may bring a discrimination lawsuit after filing a complaint.
Argument againstA person may lose the chance to sue if the deadline passes while they wait for an agency finding or notice.
More detail
A civil lawsuit under this section must be filed within the stated deadlines. The section covers people alleging discrimination under Florida’s civil rights law. These deadlines apply to civil lawsuits brought under this section. The one-year deadline starts on the earlier finding or notice. If neither occurs within 180 days after the complaint is filed, the lawsuit must be filed no later than 18 months after that filing.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 26Chapter No. 2026-116Latest
- May 22Approved by Governor Ron DeSantisBecame Law
- May 21Signed by Officers and presented to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 9Ordered enrolledMinor
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 9In Messages
- Mar 9CS passed; YEAS 37 NAYS 0Passed Senate
- Mar 9Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 9Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 9Substituted for CS/SB 1096
- Mar 9Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
- Mar 9Withdrawn from RulesMajor
- Feb 18ReceivedMinor
- Feb 18Referred to RulesMinor
- Feb 17In Messages
- Vote recorded Passage, Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 17CS passed; YEAS 108, NAYS 0Passed House
- Feb 17Read 3rd timeMinor
- Feb 17Added to Third Reading Calendar
- Feb 17Read 2nd timeMinor
- Feb 10Bill added to Special Order Calendar (2/17/2026)
- Feb 4Added to Second Reading Calendar
- Feb 41st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)Minor
- Feb 4Bill referred to House Calendar
- Feb 3CS FiledMinor
- Vote recorded Favorable With Committee Substitute (Judiciary Committee). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 3Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)Minor
- Feb 3Reported out of Judiciary Committee
- Feb 3Favorable with CS by Judiciary CommitteeMinor
- Jan 30Added to Judiciary Committee agenda
- Jan 29Now in Judiciary Committee
- Vote recorded Favorable (Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee). Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 29Reported out of Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee
- Jan 29Favorable by Civil Justice & Claims SubcommitteeMinor
- Jan 27Added to Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee agenda
- Jan 15Now in Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee
- Jan 15Referred to Judiciary CommitteeMinor
- Jan 15Referred to Civil Justice & Claims SubcommitteeMinor
- Jan 131st Reading (Original Filed Version)Minor
- Jan 9FiledIntroduced
Civil Rights & Voting