HR 756: General Assembly; preserve access to safety and justice for all survivors of gender-based violence and human trafficking; encourage

This resolution does not change Georgia law by itself. Instead, it expresses the House's position and encourages the General Assembly to adopt future language protecting immigrant survivors of gender based violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and other crimes so they can report to law enforcement without fear. The resolution cites data on Georgia's immigrant population, higher rates of abuse among immigrants, Georgia's ranking in detained immigrant populations, and concerns that laws like HB 1105 make survivors more afraid to seek help from police because they fear being profiled or reported to immigration enforcement. It calls for law enforcement assistance not to be used as a tool of control and abuse against survivors, and directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies of the resolution to the General Assembly.

• Encourages the General Assembly to adopt language protecting immigrant survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and other crimes.
• States a goal of letting immigrant survivors safely report crimes to law enforcement without fear of deportation.
• Expresses concern that law enforcement assistance could be used by abusers as a tool of control over immigrant survivors.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to distribute copies of the resolution to the General Assembly.
• Does not create any new statute, penalty, or funding; it is a statement of legislative intent rather than a change to O.C.G.A.

Immigrant survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking in Georgia, law enforcement agencies that interact with crime victims and witnesses, and members of the General Assembly who would consider future legislation on this topic.

Because this is a resolution rather than a law, it does not immediately change how police or courts treat immigrant survivors. It signals support among House members for future legislation that would make it easier for these survivors to report crimes without fear of deportation.

• The whereas clauses describe Georgia's immigrant population, higher abuse rates among immigrants, and Georgia's high rate of immigrant detention as background for the resolution.
• The resolved clause encourages the General Assembly to adopt language protecting immigrant survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and other crimes so they can safely report to law enforcement.
• A further resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make copies available for distribution to the General Assembly.
• The resolution references HB 1105 as an example of a law that it says increases fear among immigrant survivors of seeking help.

1. 2025-03-31House Second Readers (House)
2. 2025-03-28House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-03-27House Hopper (House)

• Marvin Lim (D, HD-98)Primary sponsor
• Kasey Carpenter (R, HD-4)
• Mary Ann Santos (D, HD-117)
• Long Tran (D, HD-80)
• Jasmine Clark (D, HD-108)
• Karen Lupton (D, HD-83)

• immigrant survivors
• domestic violence
• human trafficking
• law enforcement policy
• gender-based violence