Georgia Enacts Hate Crime Law

As reported by the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the Georgia legislature yesterday gave final passage (legislative history) to HB 426 (full text) which provides enhanced criminal penalties for assault, battery, theft and criminal trespass motivated by the victim's actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender, mental disability, or physical disability.  The bill also provides for enhanced reporting of bias-motivated crimes. Gov. Brian Kemp says he will sign the bill.