Governor Rick Scott's Executive Order on Diversity in Government

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 11-04

Reaffirming Commitment to Diversity in Government

WHEREAS, the Florida Constitution provides that all natural persons, female and male alike, are equal before the law and that no person shall be deprived of any right because of race or national Origin; and

WHEREAS, it is vitally important to respect these principles in all aspects of state government, and it is of particular importance to respect these principles in state employment and contracting;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RICK SCOTT, as Governor of Florida, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Article IV, Section (1)(a) of the Florida Constitution, and all other applicable laws, do hereby promulgate the following Executive Order, to take immediate effect:

Section 1. I hereby reaffirm the policy of non-discrimination in government employment established in Executive Order 99-281. It shall be the policy of my administration to prohibit discrimination in employment based on race, gender, creed, color, or national origin, and to ensure equal opportunity for all individuals currently employed in, and individuals seeking employment in, my administration. I hereby prohibit the enforcement or adoption of any and all employment policies and practices in the Office of the Governor, and agencies under the direction of the Governor, that discriminate on the basis of race, gender, creed, color, or national origin.

It has been, and shall continue to be, the policy of my administration to seek out for hiring, retention, and promotion, the highest quality candidates for my administration regardless of race, gender, creed, color, or national origin.

Section 2. I hereby reaffirm the policy of non-discrimination in government contracting established in Executive Order 99-281. It shall be the policy of my administration to encourage competition and ensure state contracting opportunities are provided without discrimination based on race, gender, creed, color, or national origin.