The Florida Commission on Human Relations (FCHR) was established in 1969 to enforce the Florida Civil Rights Act and address discrimination issues through education, outreach, and partnerships. The commission is responsible for promoting the fair treatment of all persons in Florida regardless of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, and familial or marital status.

The commission provides several services, including

• investigating allegations of discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations;
• investigating complaints of state employee whistle-blower retaliation;
• offering mediation, which is a free and impartial way to solve conflicts; and
• assisting Florida businesses by providing training services and distributing a discrimination poster to help businesses create a more tolerant and productive workforce to avoid costly litigation.

The commission is committed to enforcing civil rights laws and Florida and federal fair housing laws. Under state law, the commission is also charged with administering the Civil Rights Hall of Fame, which honors individuals who were born in Florida or adopted the state as their home, and who have made a significant contribution toward Florida's progress and achievements in civil rights. Each year, the commission accepts nominations and submits 10 finalists to the Governor, who may select up to three individuals to be inducted.

The commission consists of 12 members appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Florida Senate for four-year terms.  Members of the commission must broadly represent various racial, religious, ethnic, social, economic, political, and professional groups within the state, with at least one member age 60 or older.

The commission appoints an executive director who, with its consent, may employ a deputy director, general counsel, investigators, clerks, and other personnel as necessary to adequately perform the functions of the commission within budgetary limitations.

Section 760.11(4), Florida Statutes, provides that when the commission determines reasonable cause that a discriminatory practice has occurred in violation of the Florida Civil Rights Act, the aggrieved person may either bring civil action against the person named in the complaint in a court of competent jurisdiction or may request an administrative hearing with the Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH). Upon receipt of recommended orders from DOAH administrative law judges, the commission has 90 days to issue a final order by adopting, rejecting, or modifying the recommended order. A panel of no less than 3 of the 12 FCHR commissioners reviews DOAH's recommended order prior to entering a final decision.

The commission does not consider its deliberations as constituting quasi-judicial functions because these deliberations are not administered pursuant to Ch. 120, Florida Statutes; rather, all administrative hearings are handled exclusively by DOAH, which prevents any overlap of functions between DOAH and the commission.

In Fiscal Year 2018-19, the most recent data available, the commission received 1,538 cases and resolved 1,487. Twenty-five percent of all cases were resolved within required timeframes.

New Commissioners Appointed. On July 24, 2020, Governor Ron DeSantis appointed six new members to the Florida Commission on Human Relations. These appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

Sex Discrimination. On June 15, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court held that Title VII's prohibition on discrimination because of sex covers discrimination on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation. Therefore, FCHR accepts claims of sex discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation for investigation in employment and public accommodations complaints. This definition of sex discrimination also applies to the Florida Fair Housing Act.

Other Reports
Annual Report, 2017-18: A Fiscal Year In Review, Florida Commission on Human Relations.
Websites of Interest
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Miami District Office
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
U.S. Department of Justice, Americans with Disabilities
U.S. Department of Labor
Fair Housing Law and Presidential Executive Orders
U.S. Department of Justice, Immigrant and Employee Rights Section
International Association of Official Human Rights Agencies
Performance Information
Performance measures and standards for the department may be found in its Long Range Program Plan.

Chapter 760 Parts I and II, and ss. 112.3187, 112.3188, 112.3189, 112.31895, and 509.092, Florida Statutes.

Florida Commission on Human Relations, 850-488-7082 or 1-800-342-8170, email:  fchrinfo@fchr.myflorida.com

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