ATLANTA – State Representative Sandra Scott (D-Rex) recently introduced House Bill 1207, or the “End Racial Profiling Act,” to prohibit and prevent racial profiling by law enforcement agencies and officers in Georgia.
“Racial profiling is very dangerous, and it happens in ways many people do not realize,” said Rep. Scott. “It does not just hurt the victims, it harms society too. It is time for police officers to see black people as working, law-abiding citizens. It is time for the police to understand that we are tired, we have rights, and we will no longer be treated as if we are less than human. We are demanding that they stop the harassment of our sons and daughters and treat them like they would want someone to treat their sons and daughters. Enough is enough; it is time to ‘do the right thing’ and stop the racial profiling of our children.”
The End Racial Profiling Act would make it illegal for law enforcement agencies and officers to engage in racial profiling in the state. It would also require such agencies to maintain adequate policies and procedures designed to eliminate racial profiling, as well as terminate current policies that permit racial profiling. Law enforcement agencies would also provide training on racial profiling issues and proper procedures for receiving, investigating and responding to complaints of alleged racial profiling.
Additionally, the attorney general would have to provide an annual public report starting July 1, 2022, that details each law enforcement agency’s number of routine or spontaneous investigatory activities. These reports would also include “hit rates,” which are the percentage of stops and searches where a law enforcement officer finds items that lead to an arrest. The reports would separate all collected data by race, ethnicity and national origin.
HB 1207 would also allow the attorney general or individuals who have been injured by racial profiling to bring civil action against the perpetrator, such as law enforcement officers, through Georgia’s superior court. This legislation would waive sovereign immunity for the defendants of such civil cases that seek declaratory judgment, injunctive relief or reasonable attorney fees against the state.
For more information on HB 1207, please click here.
Representative Sandra Scott represents the citizens of District 76, which includes portions of Clayton and Henry counties. She was first elected to the House Representatives in 2010 and currently serves on the Defense & Veterans Affairs, Human Relations & Aging, Legislative & Congressional Reapportionment, Science and Technology and Special Rules committees.
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