Rachein bill aims for more LGBT protection

Jan. 22--A Florida House bill aimed at protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender residents under an already-existing state "prohibited discrimination" law has gained traction in recent days.

Behind the push to enact House Bill 239 is Keys state Rep. Holly Raschein (R-Key Largo), a prime co-sponsor of the bill alongside Rep. Joe Saunders (D-Orlando).

The law would "update state law to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression," according to a Jan. 13 statement from Raschein's office.

That same day, an 11-member group that includes some of the state's largest employers formed a coalition in support of the Competitive Workforce Ace (HB 239).

"It ought to be law. It's just adding LGBT people into the protected class as reasons you can't be fired or kicked out of your home," Raschein said. "My role is to continue to get as many Republican co-sponsors as possible."

The coalition includes Walt Disney World Resorts, C1 Bank, Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, CSX, Darden, Florida Blue, Haskell, HSN, Tech Data the University of North Florida and Wells Fargo.

Raschein said "there are a number of counties across the state enacting their own ordinance, which is a good sign."

Monroe County and Key West have such laws.

"The game plan moving forward is working with Civil Justice [Subcommittee Chairman Larry Metz] on the language to tighten it up as much as possible," she said.

"I think we'll be in a favorable position to at least get a committee hearing. It takes a long time when you're passing a major piece of legislation," Raschein added.

State representatives are allowed to file up to six bills each legislative session. Raschein has three remaining since HB 239 does not count against her allotment.

Other Raschein bills

Raschein said House Bill 47, aimed at increasing penalties for poaching large quantities of lobster, passed first hearings in both House (Agriculture and Natural Resources) and Senate (Agriculture) committees.

Raschein sponsored HB 47 after Keys prosecutors and commercial fishermen voiced concern about state law whose language doesn't differentiate clearly between minor and major violations.

Raschein is also sponsoring House Bill 469, a proposed amendment to the Move Over Act that would require drivers to move over for utility and sanitation vehicles on the roadside. Such a law already covers police and other emergency vehicles.

HB 469 was referred to the House Transportation and Highway Safety Subcommittee on Jan. 16 and is awaiting a hearing.

As for her open slots, Raschein said one could be used to sponsor a bill to try to exclude Monroe County from the federal Coastal Barrier Resource System, although the feds, not the state, decide what areas are in that system.

The aim would be to prevent the Keys from being affected by a 2012 law potentially affecting more than 2,500 privately and publicly owned Keys parcels. That makes those properties ineligible for Citizens Property Insurance Corp. windstorm coverage come July 1.

It affects "any major structure for which a permit is applied on or after July 1, 2014, for new construction or substantial improvement as defined in [state statutes] is not eligible for coverage" if within Coastal Barrier Resource System boundaries.

Congress created the Coastal Barrier Resource System in 1982 and updated it in 1990 to protect undeveloped coastal areas. There are many such areas in the Keys.

Almost every mortgage holder in the Keys relies on Citizens, the state-run insurer of last resort, for affordable windstorm coverage.

The two-month legislative session starts March 4.

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