25 LC 60 0157
House Bill 920
By: Representatives Roberts of the 52
nd
, Park of the 107
th
, Jones of the 143
rd
, Heffner of the
130
th
, Myles of the 126
th
, and others
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Chapter 8 of Title 35 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to
1
employment and training of peace officers, so as to prohibit individuals who have been2
members of hate groups from serving in law enforcement and the organized militia under3
certain circumstances; to provide for definitions; to provide for enforcement and screening;4
to provide for appeals; to provide for public reporting; to provide for related matters; to5
provide for a short title; to provide for legislative findings; to repeal conflicting laws; and for6
other purposes.7
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:8
SECTION 1.9
This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Hate-Free Heroes Act."10
SECTION 2.11
The General Assembly finds that:12
(1) Public safety officials play a critical role in maintaining trust, security, and fairness in13
diverse communities;14
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(2) Membership in hate groups undermines the principles of equality, dignity, and respect
15
required for such roles; and16
(3) Prohibiting recent members of hate groups from serving in public safety positions17
strengthens community trust and upholds democratic values.18
SECTION 3.19
Chapter 8 of Title 35 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to employment and20
training of peace officers, is amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows:21
"35-8-8.1.
22
(a) As used in this Code section, the term:23
(1) 'Hate group' means an organization that promotes or engages in hatred, violence, or24
discrimination against individuals based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual25
orientation, or other protected characteristics.26
(2) 'State militia role' means any member of the organized militia as defined in Code27
Section 38-2-2.28
(3) 'Voluntary associate' means, with respect to a hate group's activities, active29
participation, formal affiliation, financial support, or public endorsement.30
(b)(1) Any person who has been a voluntary associate of a hate group within the past ten31
years is prohibited from serving as a peace officer or in a state militia role.32
(2) Any person currently serving as a peace officer or in a state militia role who is found33
to have been a hate group member within the past ten years shall be subject to immediate34
investigation and potential removal from his or her position.35
(c) In addition to the requirements set forth in Code Section 35-8-8, all applicants for36
peace officer roles and state militia roles shall undergo comprehensive background checks,37
including screening for whether such applicants have been voluntary associates of a hate38
group. The council shall oversee compliance of such screening requirements, establish and39
maintain a list of identified hate groups, and update screening protocols as necessary.40
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(d)(1) An individual may appeal a finding of hate group affiliation by providing evidence41
to the council demonstrating:42
(A) His or her departure from the group and disavowal of its principles; and43
(B) Actions taken to counteract or rectify harm caused by his or her past affiliation.44
(2) The council shall have the discretion to approve appeals on a case-by-case basis.45
(e) Annual reports detailing the enforcement of this Code section shall be published by the46
council, including:47
(1) The number of individuals denied peace officer roles and state militia roles based on48
hate group affiliation;49
(2) Appeals filed and outcomes of such cases; and50
(3) Updates to the list of identified hate groups."51
SECTION 4.52
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.53
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