FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 26, 2020

Hate Crime Bill Becomes Law in Georgia 

The first law to ever specifically protect LGBTQ Georgians.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA –

Georgia Equality joins our partners at ADL (the Anti-Defamation League) today in celebrating Governor Brian Kemp signing into law House Bill 426 – the “Georgia Enhanced Penalties for Hate Crimes Act.”  The new law’s protections go into effect immediately.  ADL leads the Hate Free Georgia Coalition, which played an important role in securing the passage of HB 426.

“Today, we are elated to participate in this historic moment for Georgia, which was decades in the making,”  said Dr. Allison Padilla-Goodman, ADL Vice President, Southern Division.  “Governor Kemp’s signing of HB 426 sends the resounding message that all Georgians’ identities are a valuable part of our State.  It recognizes that Georgia will not tolerate crimes that terrorize and alienate entire communities. We are thrilled that Georgia is joining the 45 other states with hate crimes laws,” said Padilla-Goodman.

“It is truly a historic moment for Georgia. A bill that was first passed at the state level in California in 1984 and has been a priority of Georgia’s LGBTQ community since the early 1990’s, has finally passed” said Georgia Equality’s executive director Jeff Graham. “Georgia Equality is proud to have worked in coalition with ADL (Anti-Defamation League) on hate crime legislation and send thanks to Representatives Calvin Smyre, Karla Drenner and Chuck Efstration who have been tireless advocates of this important issue.”

HB 426 provides stronger penalties for individuals who target victims because of their actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender, mental disability, or physical disability.  It also requires local law enforcement agencies to collect data on hate crime investigations and provide “Bias Crime Reports” to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, which is essential for effective enforcement of the law.

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Founded in 1995, Georgia Equality is the state’s largest advocacy organization working to advance fairness, safety, and opportunity for Georgia’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender citizens. 

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