The director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation is urging state lawmakers to pass a hate crimes bill when it returns to work in January.
Vernon Keenan says this particular law would be a statement that a crime committed of hate or bias is a serious matter. Senate Bill 555, sponsored by Senate Democrat Vincent Fort of Atlanta, remains stalled in the Senate Rules Committee.
In 2000, the state Legislature passed a hate crimes law, only to have it struck down by the Georgia Supreme Court in 2005. It was called too vague. This version of the bill is more specific as to what constitutes a hate crime.
Vernon Keenan says this particular law would be a statement that a crime committed of hate or bias is a serious matter. Senate Bill 555, sponsored by Senate Democrat Vincent Fort of Atlanta, remains stalled in the Senate Rules Committee.
In 2000, the state Legislature passed a hate crimes law, only to have it struck down by the Georgia Supreme Court in 2005. It was called too vague. This version of the bill is more specific as to what constitutes a hate crime.
