HB920: HB920 Hate-Free Heroes Act; enact

Under current Georgia law, there is no specific screening requirement tied to hate group membership for people applying to become peace officers or join the state's organized militia. This bill, called the 'Hate-Free Heroes Act,' would add a new section to Georgia's peace officer training law (O.C.G.A. Chapter 8 of Title 35) addressing that gap. It would prohibit anyone who has been a voluntary associate of a hate group in the past ten years from serving as a peace officer or in a state militia role, and would subject current officers found to have such ties to investigation and possible removal. All applicants would face background checks screening for hate group affiliation, overseen by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (referred to as 'the council'), which would maintain a list of identified hate groups. People flagged could appeal by showing they left the group and took steps to address the harm it caused. The council would publish annual reports on enforcement.

• Bars anyone who has voluntarily associated with a hate group within the past ten years from becoming a peace officer or serving in a state militia role.
• Requires investigation and possible removal of current peace officers or militia members found to have had hate group ties within the past ten years.
• Adds a hate group screening requirement to background checks for all applicants for peace officer and state militia positions.
• Directs the council to maintain and update a list of identified hate groups and to oversee compliance with the screening rules.
• Creates an appeals process allowing a flagged individual to show they left the group and took action to address harm caused.
• Requires the council to publish annual reports on denials, appeals, and updates to the hate group list.

The bill affects applicants for peace officer jobs, current law enforcement officers, members of Georgia's organized militia, and the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council, which would run the new screening, appeals, and reporting process.

People with past ties to hate groups could be blocked from law enforcement or militia service, and current officers could face investigation or removal if such ties surface. Applicants would undergo added background screening, and the council would take on new duties to track and report on enforcement.

• Section 1 gives the bill the short title 'Hate-Free Heroes Act.'
• Section 2 states legislative findings about the importance of public trust and the harms of hate group membership among public safety officials.
• Section 3 adds new Code Section 35-8-8.1, defining 'hate group,' 'state militia role,' and 'voluntary associate.'
• Subsection (b) bars voluntary hate group associates from the past ten years from serving as peace officers or in state militia roles and subjects current members to investigation and removal.
• Subsection (c) requires background checks screening for hate group ties and puts the council in charge of maintaining a hate group list and screening protocols.
• Subsection (d) creates an appeals process requiring proof of departure from the group and efforts to counteract harm caused.
• Subsection (e) requires annual public reports on denials, appeals, and updates to the identified hate group list.
• Section 4 repeals conflicting laws.

1. 2026-01-12House Second Readers (House)
2. 2025-04-04House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-04-02House Hopper (House)

• Shea Roberts (D, HD-052)Primary sponsor
• Samuel Park (D, HD-107)
• Anissa Jones (D, HD-143)
• Lynn Heffner (D, HD-130)
• L.C. Myles (D, HD-126)
• David Sampson (D, HD-153)

• law enforcement standards
• hate groups
• police background checks
• state militia
• public safety policy