HR757: HR757 House Study Committee on Civil Rights Protections; create

25 LC 48 1613 House Resolution 757 By: Representatives Clark of the 108th, Evans of the 57th, Lim of the 98th, and Barnes of the 86th A RESOLUTION Creating the House Study Committee on Civil Rights Protections; 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 accommodation s, 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 fr om other states and to14 H. R. 757 - 1 - 25 LC 48 1613 ensure any recommendations balance the protection of individual liberties with the interests15 of businesses and government institutions.16 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:17 (1) Creation of House study committee. There is created the House Study Committee18 on Civil Rights Protections.19 (2) Members and officers. The committee shall be composed of five members of the20 House of Representatives to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of21 Representatives. The Speaker shall designate a member of the committee as chairperson22 of the committee.23 (3) Powers and duties. The committee shall undertake a study of the conditions, needs,24 issues, and problems mentioned above or related thereto and recommend any action or25 legislation which the committee deems necessary or appropriate, including, but not26 limited to, the following:27 (A) Conducting a comprehensive review of Georgia's existing anti-discrimination laws28 and identifying any gaps in protections;29 (B) Analyzing data and research on discrimination in employmen t, housing, public30 accommodations, and public services in Georgia;31 (C) Reviewing civil rights laws from other states and federal civil rights statutes for32 guidance on best practices;33 (D) Assessing enforcement mechanisms, including, but not limited to, the role of state34 agencies, private rights of action, and remedies available to victims of discrimination;35 (E) Evaluating the impact of potential legislation on businesses, government entities,36 and affected communities; and37 (F) Making recommendations for legislation to address any identified deficiencies in38 Georgia's civil rights protections.39 H. R. 757 - 2 - 25 LC 48 1613 (4) Meetings. The chairperson shall call all meetings of the committee. The committee40 may conduct such meetings at such places and at such times as it may deem necessary or41 convenient to enable it to exercise fully and effectively its powers, perform its duties, and42 accomplish the objectives and purposes of this resolution.43 (5) Allowances, expenses, and funding. The members of the committee shall receive44 the allowances provided for in Code Section 28-1-8 of the Offic ial Code of Georgia45 Annotated. The allowances authorized by this resolution shall not be received by any46 member of the committee for more than five days unless additional days are authorized. 47 Funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this resolution shall come from funds48 appropriated to the House of Representatives.49 (6) Report.50 (A) In the event the committee adopts any specific findings or recommendations that51 include suggestions for proposed legislation, the chairperson shall file a report of the52 same prior to the date of abolishment specified in this resolut ion, subject to53 subparagraph (C) of this paragraph.54 (B) In the event the committee adopts a report that does not i nclude suggestions for55 proposed legislation, the chairperson shall file the report, subject to subparagraph (C)56 of this paragraph.57 (C) No report shall be filed unless the same has been approved prior to the date of58 abolishment specified in this resolution by majority vote of a quorum of the committee.59 A report so approved shall be signed by the chairperson of the committee and filed with60 the Clerk of the House of Representatives.61 (D) In the absence of an approved report, the chairperson may file with the Clerk of the62 House of Representatives a copy of the minutes of the meetings of the committee in lieu63 thereof.64 (7) Abolishment. The committee shall stand abolished on December 1, 2025.65 H. R. 757 - 3 -