With the clock ticking on Georgia’s legislative session, lawmakers are working to address several key issues that could shape the state’s policies on religious freedom, parental rights, and fairness in women’s sports.
This week, legislative committees held hearings on bills aimed at protecting children from obscene materials in libraries, ensuring fairness in female athletics, and securing religious freedoms from government overreach. While no votes were taken, all of these bills remain on the table as lawmakers approach the April 4 deadline for passing legislation.
Religious Freedom Bill Moves Forward Despite Opposition
One of the most significant measures under debate is the Georgia Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), sponsored by Cobb Republican Sen. Ed Setzler. The bill aims to prevent state and local governments from infringing on religious liberties, similar to protections already in place at the federal level and in more than 30 other states.
Supporters argue that the bill simply restores constitutional protections that have been eroded over time. Mike Griffin, a public affairs representative for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, stated that the measure is “about ensuring that Georgians can live out their faith without government interference.”
However, some Democratic lawmakers and progressive activists claim the bill could allow for discrimination, despite the fact that RFRA laws nationwide have not resulted in widespread legal issues. Rep. Esther Panitch, the only Jewish member of the Georgia legislature, expressed concerns that the bill could be misused, though similar laws have been upheld elsewhere without undermining existing non-discrimination protections.
The bill’s fate remains uncertain after a House Judiciary Committee hearing stretched on for four hours, ending with an initial failed vote. However, a successful motion to reconsider means it could still be revived in the coming days.
Protecting Children: A Debate Over Library Content
Another issue drawing debate is Senate Bill 74, which would remove a special exemption that currently shields librarians from penalties for distributing obscene materials to minors. The bill, sponsored by Republican Sen. Max Burns, does not ban any books but instead ensures that materials deemed harmful to children are placed in adult sections rather than being easily accessible to minors.
Burns defended the bill, explaining that it simply holds librarians to the same legal standard as any other adult in Georgia when it comes to distributing explicit content to minors. “If a book is not appropriate for children, it should not be readily available to them,” Burns said.
Supporters of the bill, including concerned parents and activists, argue that some public libraries have carried books with explicit sexual content in sections meant for children. Brenda Heidman, a parent who testified in favor of the bill, described libraries as places where “pornographic material is being made available to kids” under the guise of inclusivity.
Opponents, however, argue that the bill could lead to censorship or be misapplied, although the law would not remove books from libraries—only require appropriate placement.
Ensuring Fairness in Women’s Sports
The debate over fairness in female athletics also remains front and center in the Georgia legislature. House Bill 267, introduced by Republican Rep. Josh Bonner, seeks to ensure that school sports teams designated for girls remain exclusive to biological females.
The bill aligns with similar efforts in other states that argue biological differences provide a competitive advantage in sports. Bonner framed the measure as necessary to protect opportunities for female athletes.
“I’m the father of two daughters, one that plays soccer, and I do not want, and I don’t think the majority of Georgians want, to be in a situation where girls are forced to compete against biological males,” Bonner said.
Opponents, including progressive activists and LGBTQ advocacy groups, argue that such legislation is unnecessary and discriminatory. However, a Georgia High School Association rule already bars transgender girls from competing in girls’ sports, reinforcing the idea that lawmakers are simply codifying existing policy to prevent future challenges.
What’s Next?
With April 4 marking the final legislative day of the session, Georgia lawmakers face a tight deadline to advance these and other key bills. While some efforts stalled in committee on Wednesday, they remain active and could move forward with last-minute votes.
Supporters say these measures are about restoring common-sense protections, ensuring fairness in sports, safeguarding religious freedoms, and giving parents more control over what materials their children can access in schools and libraries.
As the session comes to a close, all eyes will be on Georgia’s Republican lawmakers to see whether they can successfully push these bills across the finish line in the face of fierce opposition from progressive groups.
