(Naples, FL) Mario Valle has been appointed by Governor Rick Scott to serve a third term on the Florida Commission on Human Relations where he will serve as Vice-chair. The Commission investigates complaints of unlawful discrimination to ensure Florida residents and visitors have equal access to opportunities for employment, housing and public accommodations.
One of the most important services that the Florida Commission on Human Relations provides is discrimination mediation – designed to help prevent costly litigation while protecting the rights of Florida citizens with valid claims.
Over the five year period from FY 06-07 to FY 10-11, the Florida Commission on Human Relations successfully resolved 7,835 cases with 4,500 of those cases ending in a “No Cause” finding and 508 cases successfully mediated. This process saved Florida businesses nearly $61 million in litigation expenses or over $12 million a year.
In the upcoming legislative session, the Florida Commission on Human Relations is supporting legislation that would discourage non-meritorious administrative appeals for discrimination cases, as well as add protective measures for seniors living in state-recognized 55+ communities (HB 1125). In addition, the Commission will be closely watching a number of other bills that have been filed that, if enacted, would impact the operations of the Commission and could affect the rights of Florida citizens. These bills cover topics such as adding sexual orientation and gender identity or expression as a basis for discrimination; limiting an employer’s use of an applicant’s credit history, credit score, criminal history or unemployment history in making employment hiring decisions; and authorizing aggrieved persons to go directly to court for alleged housing discrimination rather than go through the Commission’s investigations process.
Mario Valle is a Relationship Manager at PBS Construction, Inc., based in Naples, Florida. A graduate of Florida State University, Valle is a Florida State licensed Real Estate Broker, Residential Contractor and Certified Mold Remediator/Inspector. He is a past President of the Golden Gate Estates Civic Association and past Vice-chair for Collier County’s Affordable Housing Advisory Board. He also served as the Vice-chair of the Naples MS Walk for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society for five years. In 2004, Valle graduated from Leadership Collier and was named to Gulfshore Business Magazine’s 40 under 40. Currently, Valle serves on the Development Services Advisory Council of Collier County.
