Georgia passes bill to criminalize clergy sexual abuse

Georgia lawmakers have unanimously passed Senate Bill 542, a landmark piece of legislation that closes a legal loophole by holding clergy members to the same criminal standards as teachers and coaches. The bill, which now heads to Governor Brian Kemp’s desk, removes "consent" as a defense in cases where religious leaders exploit their positions of trust. Driven by the testimony of survivor Hayle Swinson, the measure aims to protect adults from spiritual coercion and manipulation.