Leader Book and Representative Smith file Bill to Eliminate “Panic Defense” Attacks on LGBTQIA+ Individuals
Tallahassee, FL — Senate Democratic Leader Lauren Book (D-Plantation) and Representative Carlos Guillermo Smith (D-Orlando) this week filed legislation to eliminate the so-called “gay/trans panic defense” from being used in Florida to legally defend assaults and lethal attacks on LGBTQIA+ individuals. SB 374/HB 205 would disallow the legal strategy of asking a jury to find that a crime victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity caused the defendant to “panic” and react violently. Read more
