Georgia State Rep. Chuck Efstration, a Republican who helped shepherd the bill into law, said it was intended to allow for especially stiff penalties for crimes in which “the perpetrator’s prejudices and biases are attacks not only on the victims but on all of society.” “Thank goodness law enforcement will have the ability to charge this as a hate crime if the facts support that,” he said in an interview.

Hate crimes are now determined by media coverage, thanks “Republican” state rep.