SUMMARY:  LC 41 0555

Calls for a constitutional amendment that if passed by the General Assembly and the voters would:

• Declare English as the official language of the State of Georgia
• Require official actions of the state which bind or commit the state to be in English
• Laws, ordinances, decrees, programs, or policies of the state or its political subdivisions shall be in English
• Persons that speak only English shall not be discriminated against
• The state and its political subdivisions may use a language other than English for these purposes:
  • teach or encourage learning of other languages
  • protect the public health or safety
  • teach English to speakers of other languages.
  • permits the use of American Sign Language
  • protect the rights of victims of crime and criminal defendants
  • ensure equality of access to a court
  • promote diplomacy, trade, commerce, and tourism
  • create or promote state or agency mottos, inscribe public documents
  • utilize terms of art or terms of phrases from other languages
  • to communicate with speakers of other languages
    • Residents or those doing business in Georgia has the right to sue any agency or official to seek judgment as to whether the above exclusions have been violated 

EFFECTIVE DATE:  Upon approval of a constitutional amendment by the General Assembly and voters.  If passed, enabling legislation would be considered.