Senate Bill 119, sponsored by state Sen. Lester Jackson, D-Savannah, will be introduced in the Legislature next week.

It would make Georgia law mirror federal statutes to protect Georgians against discrimination in hotels, restaurants, theaters and other public accommodations based on race, color, religion, natural origin or sex — plus sexual orientation and gender identity. It would also explicitly bar discrimination against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in transactions such as when buying a house or seeking a job.