Bill > HB19

This bill provides a comprehensive state civil rights law protecting individuals from discrimination in housing, public accommodations, and employment. The key provisions of the bill are: 1. It prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, familial status, or national origin. It also prohibits discrimination in public accommodations and private and public employment based on these same protected characteristics. 2. It establishes a new chapter in state law to provide for equal enjoyment of public accommodations and prohibit discrimination in places like hotels, restaurants, and theaters. 3. It creates a private right of action for employees against their employers for unlawful discrimination, and allows for various remedies including back pay, reinstatement, and injunctive relief. 4. It broadly construes the civil rights protections in the bill to align with federal civil rights laws and jurisprudence. The bill aims to expand and clarify civil rights laws in Georgia, which is currently one of only three states without comprehensive state-level civil rights protections. It intends to safeguard against discrimination and promote equal opportunities throughout the state.