ATLANTA (March 24, 2023) | This week, Senators Sally Harrell (D – Atlanta) and Kim Jackson (D – Stone Mountain) filed Senate Bill 319 to significantly expand Georgia’s civil rights laws to protect all Georgians from discrimination in housing, public accommodations and employment. Georgia is one of only three states that do not have comprehensive non-discrimination laws in these areas.
SB 319 adds protections for all Georgians against discrimination in “public accommodations” which includes all establishments that serve members of the public such as hotels, restaurants, salons, banks and public transportation. While current state law includes non-discrimination protections for public employees, SB 319 adds anti-discrimination protections for private employees as well. The bill also extends protections against discrimination when renting or buying a home and when applying for or holding a job at a state agency on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, and age.
“Too often in the General Assembly, we consider bills that do harm to vulnerable Georgians,” said Sen. Harrell. “It’s time for the state to do something positive to protect all Georgians from discrimination.”
“My mission is to be a voice for those that are vulnerable and marginalized. Passing a comprehensive anti-discrimination law was a key reason I ran for office,” said Sen. Jackson. “All Georgians should be protected from all forms of discrimination.”
In the absence of a comprehensive state non-discrimination law, a number of cities across Georgia have passed their own non-discrimination ordinances. SB 319 will bridge the gap between federal non-discrimination protections and municipal ordinances.
You can find a link to the filed legislation here.
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Sen. Sally Harrell represents the 40th Senate District which includes portions of DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett counties. She may be reached by phone at (404) 463-2260 or via email at sally.harrell@senate.ga.gov.
Sen. Kim Jackson represents the 41st Senate District which includes portions of DeKalb and a small portion Gwinnett County. She may be reached at her office at 404.656.6882 or by email at kim.jackson@senate.ga.gov.