After Ahmaud Arbery’s Killing, Georgia Governor Signs Hate Crimes Legislation

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The death of Ahmaud Arbery, who was killed while jogging in February, prompted renewed calls for Georgia to pass a hate crimes law. Gov. Brian Kemp signed House Bill 426 on Friday, giving the state its first hate crime law in 16 years.





Stephen B. Morton/AP



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Stephen B. Morton/AP



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A version of the bill had previously passed the state House of Representatives in March 2019 but stalled in the Senate. When lawmakers returned this month from a three-month hiatus due to COVID-19, they revived the legislation.

The final version of the law also mandates the creation of a state database tracking hate crimes.

Although the bill passed both chambers with strong bipartisan support, Georgia Public Broadcasting reported, passage of the legislation was not always guaranteed.

The NPR member station said state Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan attempted to put forth «his own measure that would create a separate hate crime charge and tougher penalties than the House bill. That attempt failed.

Senate Republicans last week added first responders as a protected class.

Ahead of the signing of the legislation, Republican Rep. Chuck Efstration, the bill’s lead sponsor, praised the final product.

«The inability to call particularly heinous crimes appropriately is a loss to all Georgians, Efstration said. «Specific offenses may now be classified properly.

The Republican governor also praised the bill as a bipartisan effort.

«This bipartisan legislation is a powerful step forward. It’s a sign of progress, and it’s a milestone worth applauding, Kemp said.