HB1124: HB1124 State government; require certain agencies to consider definition of hinduphobia to apply to laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, or national origin

Georgia law already bans discrimination based on race, color, religion, or national origin and allows tougher sentences for hate crimes under O.C.G.A. § 17-10-17. This bill adds a new definition of hinduphobia to state law, describing it as antagonistic, destructive, and derogatory attitudes and behaviors toward Hinduism. Under the bill, any state or local agency that enforces discrimination laws would have to consider this definition as part of that enforcement. Prosecutors deciding whether to seek an enhanced hate crime penalty would also have to consider the definition when deciding if a victim or property was targeted because of bias. The bill includes provisions saying it does not override First Amendment rights, does not change evidentiary standards, and creates no new lawsuit rights. If any part is struck down as unconstitutional, the whole Act would be automatically repealed. It would take effect immediately upon the Governor's signature or becoming law without signature.

• Adds a new Code section (O.C.G.A. § 50-1-12.1) defining hinduphobia as antagonistic, destructive, and derogatory attitudes and behaviors toward Hinduism.
• Requires any state or local government agency enforcing discrimination laws based on race, color, religion, or national origin to consider this definition.
• Directs the state to consider the hinduphobia definition when deciding whether to seek an enhanced hate crime penalty under Georgia's existing penalty enhancement law (O.C.G.A. § 17-10-17).
• States that the new section cannot be used to limit First Amendment rights, change evidentiary standards, or create new lawsuit rights against the state.
• Includes a nonseverability clause meaning the entire Act would be repealed automatically if any part is found unconstitutional.

State and local government agencies that enforce anti-discrimination laws, prosecutors and courts handling hate crime cases eligible for penalty enhancement, and members of the Hindu community whose experiences of bias would be considered under the new definition.

Agencies and prosecutors would gain a specific, legally defined standard for recognizing bias against Hindus when enforcing discrimination laws or seeking harsher hate crime sentences, potentially affecting how such cases are investigated, charged, and prosecuted in Georgia.

• Section 1 creates O.C.G.A. § 50-1-12.1, defining 'agency' broadly to include all state agencies and local political subdivisions, and defining hinduphobia.
• Subsection (b) requires agencies enforcing discrimination laws to consider the hinduphobia definition during enforcement.
• Subsection (c) requires the state to consider the definition when deciding whether to seek the enhanced penalty under O.C.G.A. § 17-10-17.
• Subsection (d) protects First Amendment rights and rights related to expressive activity on foreign policy or international affairs from being limited by this section.
• Subsections (e) through (g) clarify the section does not change evidentiary standards, does not expand or limit existing agency authority, and creates no new legal claims against the state.
• Section 2 makes the entire Act nonseverable, so a court striking down any part would repeal the whole Act.
• Section 3 sets the effective date as upon the Governor's approval or upon becoming law without approval.

1. 2026-02-04House Second Readers (House)
2. 2026-02-03House First Readers (House)
3. 2026-02-02House Hopper (House)

• Esther Panitch (D, HD-051)Primary sponsor
• Stacey Evans (D, HD-057)

• hate crimes
• religious discrimination
• Hindu community
• state agencies
• civil rights law