Bill > HB426

This bill amends Georgia's criminal procedure laws to revise the criteria for imposing punishment for crimes involving bias or prejudice. It defines "designated misdemeanors" and requires enhanced sentences, including imprisonment and fines, if the trier of fact determines that the defendant intentionally selected the victim or property based on the victim's actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender, mental disability, or physical disability. The bill also requires law enforcement officers to prepare and submit "Bias Crime Reports" whenever they investigate an incident that appears to involve such bias-motivated selection of a victim or property, regardless of whether an arrest is made. These reports will be used for statistical purposes and made available to defendants and victims upon request. The bill repeals conflicting laws.

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