MIAMI, FL – September 1, 2026 – Florida workers considering a workplace discrimination claim face new procedural deadlines following the passage of House Bill 1407, a reform that changes how and when certain civil actions must be brought under the Florida Civil Rights Act. Miami employment discrimination attorney Jason D. Berkowitz of BT Law Group, PLLC (https://btattorneys.com/what-is-florida-house-bill-1407/) has published guidance explaining what the new law changes, who remains protected, and the steps employees should take to preserve their rights.
According to Miami employment discrimination attorney Jason D. Berkowitz, HB 1407 was approved by the Governor on May 22, 2026, and becomes effective July 1, 2026, as a procedural amendment to Section 760.11 of the Florida Statutes. “This bill does not create new protected classes, but it changes the timeline of a discrimination case in ways that can determine whether a valid claim survives,” Berkowitz explains. The measure passed unanimously, 108-0 in the House and 37-0 in the Senate.
Miami employment discrimination attorney Jason D. Berkowitz notes that the legislation does two main things. It eliminates the requirement that the Florida Commission on Human Relations send certain complaint and reasonable-cause determination notices by registered mail, and it establishes court-filing deadlines for certain Florida Civil Rights Act civil actions. Under the new rule, a lawsuit must be filed no later than one year after the earlier of an FCHR reasonable-cause determination or an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Notice of Right to Sue, or no later than 18 months after the complaint is filed if neither event occurs within 180 days…