Georgia legislation · 2025-2026 Regular Session
Georgia HB1189: Sexual offenses; offense of sodomy regarding consenting adults; prohibit prosecution
Status: In committee, February 6, 2026
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 6 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to sexual offenses, so as to prohibit the prosecution of the offense of sodomy regarding consenting adults in accordance with Powell v. The State, 270 Ga. 327 (1998); to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
What the bill says
To amend Chapter 6 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to sexual offenses, so as to prohibit the prosecution of the offense of sodomy regarding consenting adults in accordance with Powell v. The State, 270 Ga. 327 (1998); to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
From the introduced text:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED To amend Chapter 6 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to sexual offenses, so as to prohibit the prosecution of the offense of sodomy regarding consenting adults in accordance with Powell v. The State, 270 Ga. 327 (1998); to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA: SECTION 1. Chapter 6 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to sexual offenses, is amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows: "16-6-2.1. Except as otherwise provided by state and federal law, prosecution for the offense of sodomy, as such term is defined in subsection (a) of Code Section 16-6-2, shall be prohibited when the persons committing sodomy are adults and consent to such sodomy, in accordance with the Supreme Court of Georgia's ruling in Powell v. The State, Ga. 327 (1998)." H. B. 1189 LC 48 9005 SECTION 2. All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed. H. B. 1189
Sponsors
- Angela Moore (D, HD-091) · primary sponsor
- Esther Panitch (D, 51)
- Eric Bell (D)
- Sylvia Baker (D)
- Gabriel Sanchez (D, 42)
Latest actions
- : House Passed/Adopted
- : House Third Readers
- : House Committee Favorably Reported
- : House Second Readers
- : House First Readers
- : House Hopper
Common questions
- What is HB1189?
- HB1189 is a bill in the Georgia Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): Sexual offenses; offense of sodomy regarding consenting adults; prohibit prosecution.
- What does HB1189 do?
- In its own words: To amend Chapter 6 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to sexual offenses, so as to prohibit the prosecution of the offense of sodomy regarding consenting adults in accordance with Powell v. The State, 270 Ga. 327 (1998); to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
- What is the status of HB1189?
- In committee as of February 6, 2026. Latest action: House Passed/Adopted (March 20, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1189?
- Angela Moore (D, HD-091), with 4 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB1189?
- On the Georgia Legislature website: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72838
Source: official Georgia record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.