HB 920: Hate-Free Heroes Act; enact

Currently, Georgia law does not specifically screen police officer or state militia applicants for past membership in hate groups. House Bill 920, 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) that defines a hate group as an organization promoting hatred, violence, or discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or other protected traits. Under the bill, anyone who has been a voluntary associate, meaning an active participant, formal member, financial supporter, or public endorser, of a hate group within the past ten years could not serve as a peace officer or in a state militia role. Current officers or militia members found to have such ties would face investigation and possible removal. The Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council would run background checks, maintain a list of identified hate groups, and publish annual enforcement reports. People flagged could appeal by showing they left the group and took steps to repair harm caused by their past involvement.

• Bars anyone who was a voluntary associate of a hate group in the past ten years from serving as a peace officer or in Georgia's organized militia.
• Subjects current officers or militia members found to have recent hate group ties to investigation and possible removal from their position.
• Requires the council overseeing peace officer training to add hate group screening to background checks for all applicants.
• Directs the council to build and maintain a list of identified hate groups and update screening rules as needed.
• Creates an appeals process letting a flagged person show they left the group, disavowed it, and took action to repair harm caused.
• Requires the council to publish annual reports on denials, appeals and their outcomes, and updates to the hate group list.

Applicants for law enforcement jobs and organized militia positions in Georgia, current peace officers and militia members, and the state council responsible for peace officer training and certification, which gains new screening, investigation, and reporting duties.

If enacted, someone with recent hate group ties could be turned away from a policing or militia job, or removed from one they already hold, after an investigation. Applicants would face broader background checks, and the public would get yearly data on how often this affects hiring decisions.

• Section 1 names the bill the 'Hate-Free Heroes Act.'
• Section 2 states legislative findings that hate group membership undermines trust required for public safety roles.
• Section 3 adds new Code Section 35-8-8.1, defining 'hate group,' 'state militia role,' and 'voluntary associate.'
• Subsection (b) bars voluntary associates of a hate group within the past ten years from serving as a peace officer or in a state militia role, and subjects current members with such ties to investigation and possible removal.
• Subsection (c) requires added background-check screening for applicants and puts the council in charge of maintaining a hate group list and screening protocols.
• Subsection (d) creates an appeals process for people who left a hate group and took steps to counteract harm from their past affiliation.
• Subsection (e) requires the council to publish annual reports on denials, appeals, and updates to the 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 hiring
• hate groups
• police background checks
• state militia
• public safety policy