Bill > HB705

This bill amends Georgia's motor vehicle laws to explicitly prohibit law enforcement from conducting a traffic stop of a motorcycle rider solely because they are operating a motorcycle or wearing motorcycle-related clothing. The new provision clarifies that police may only stop a vehicle when they have a "reasonable articulable suspicion" of an actual traffic law violation. Specifically, the bill adds language to the state's traffic code that makes it unlawful for an officer to initiate a traffic stop based exclusively on the fact that a person is riding a motorcycle or wearing motorcycle gear. This appears designed to prevent potential profiling or discriminatory stops of motorcyclists by requiring that any traffic stop be predicated on a legitimate, observable violation of traffic law, rather than stereotyping or bias against motorcycle riders. The bill maintains law enforcement's ability to stop vehicles for genuine traffic infractions while protecting motorcyclists from unwarranted scrutiny based solely on their mode of transportation or style of dress.

Justice

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71073