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Senate Resolution 444
By: Senators Halpern of the 39th, Jones II of the 22nd, Strickland of the 42nd, Cowsert of
the 46th and Parent of the 44th
A RESOLUTION
Creating the Senate Civil Rights Protections Study Committee; and for other purposes.
1
WHEREAS, Georgia is one of the few states without comprehensive state civil rights laws2
protecting individuals from discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations,3
and public services; and4
WHEREAS, the Georgia Constitution guarantees equal protection for all citizens and affirms5
the natural and inalienable right to freedom of conscience and worship; and6
WHEREAS, the General Assembly understands that it is in the public interest of the State7
of Georgia to study, evaluate, and make policy recommendations for comprehensive civil8
rights protections in employment, housing, public accommodations, and public services9
without discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation,10
age, disability, or familial status; and11
WHEREAS, the General Assembly further understands that, in developing recommendations12
for such comprehensive civil rights protections, there is a compelling need to examine the13
enforcement mechanisms, legal frameworks, and best practices from other states and to14
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ensure any recommendations balance the protection of individual liberties with the interests
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of businesses and government institutions.16
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE:17
(1) Creation of Senate study committee. There is created the Senate Civil Rights18
Protections Study Committee.19
(2) Members and officers. The committee shall be composed of five members of the20
Senate to be appointed by the President of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall21
designate a member of the committee as chairperson of the committee.22
(3) Powers and duties. The committee shall undertake a study of the conditions, needs,23
issues, and problems mentioned above or related thereto and recommend any action or24
legislation which the committee deems necessary or appropriate, including, but not25
limited to, the following:26
(A) Conducting a comprehensive review of Georgia's existing anti-discrimination laws27
and identifying any gaps in protections;28
(B) Analyzing data and research on discrimination in employment, housing, public29
accommodations, and public services in Georgia;30
(C) Reviewing civil rights laws from other states and federal civil rights statutes for31
guidance on best practices;32
(D) Assessing enforcement mechanisms, including, but not limited to, the role of state33
agencies, private rights of action, and remedies available to victims of discrimination;34
(E) Evaluating the impact of potential legislation on businesses, government entities,35
and affected communities; and36
(F) Making recommendations for legislation to address any identified deficiencies in37
Georgia's civil rights protections.38
(4) Meetings. The chairperson shall call all meetings of the committee. The committee39
may conduct such meetings at such places and at such times as it may deem necessary or40
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convenient to enable it to exercise fully and effectively its powers, perform its duties, and
41
accomplish the objectives and purposes of this resolution.42
(5) Allowances, expenses, and funding. The members of the committee shall receive43
the allowances provided for in Code Section 28-1-8 of the Official Code of Georgia44
Annotated. The allowances authorized by this resolution shall not be received by any45
member of the committee for more than five days unless additional days are authorized. 46
Funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this resolution shall come from funds47
appropriated to the Senate.48
(6) Report.49
(A) In the event the committee adopts any specific findings or recommendations that50
include suggestions for proposed legislation, the chairperson shall file a report of the51
same prior to the date of abolishment specified in this resolution, subject to52
subparagraph (C) of this paragraph.53
(B) In the event the committee adopts a report that does not include suggestions for54
proposed legislation, the chairperson shall file the report, subject to subparagraph (C)55
of this paragraph.56
(C) No report shall be filed unless the same has been approved prior to the date of57
abolishment specified in this resolution by majority vote of a quorum of the committee.58
A report so approved shall be signed by the chairperson of the committee and filed with59
the Secretary of the Senate.60
(D) In the absence of an approved report, the chairperson may file with the Secretary61
of the Senate a copy of the minutes of the meetings of the committee in lieu thereof.62
(7) Abolishment. The committee shall stand abolished on December 1, 2025.63
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