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On June 23, the Georgia State Assembly passed HB 426, bringing those targeted by hate crimes one step closer to legal protection. After lacking such laws in our state for over a decade, the bill garnered the majority of votes in both the House and the Senate.
The bill itself permits harsher criminal penalties against anyone targeting individuals on the basis of gender, race, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, or physical or mental disability.
Those convicted of a hate crime will face an additional 6-12 months for misdemeanors and at least two years for felonies, plus a $5,000 fine.
– MaryGrace Williams, 360 Media, Inc.