ATLANTA – State Representative Vernon Jones (D-Lithonia) today announced that he will introduce the Jones Amendment when the 2020 legislative session resumes that will accompany other hate crime legislation to make it punishable by law to commit a crime based on a person’s political party affiliation or ideology. The Jones Amendment will be modeled after legislation that Rep. Jones previously introduced, House Bill 1120, before the 2020 legislative session was suspended due to COVID-19.

“Americans are being attacked nationwide because of their party affiliation and political ideology. I have personally been subjected to hate speech and threats because of my support for President Trump’s reelection,” said Rep. Jones. “While we are discussing hate crimes legislation in Georgia, this could address another form of hate crime that people are experiencing.”

Under House Bill 1120, if a misdemeanor is committed because of actual or perceived political beliefs or political associations, defendants could be sentenced to imprisonment for three to 12 months and face a fine up to $5,000. The bill also states that if the offense is a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature, defendants could face imprisonment for six to 12 months and face a fine up to $5,000; if the offense is a felony, defendants could be sentenced to imprisonment for up to two years.

Rep. Jones can be reached for comment at 404-656-0287 or housedistrict91@gmail.com.

For more information on HB 1120, please click here.

 

Representative Vernon Jones represents the citizens of District 91, which includes portions of DeKalb and Rockdale counties. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2016 and currently serves on the Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications, Human Relations & Aging and Transportation committees.

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