A new bill introduced in Georgia’s statehouse aims to protect artistic expression in the courtroom, specifically targeting rap music and other forms of creative work. House Bill 237, introduced during the 2025-2026 legislative session, seeks to prevent rap lyrics—or any other artistic expression such as music, dance, performance art, poetry, literature, film, and visual art—from being used as evidence in criminal trials, unless certain conditions are met.

Under this proposed law, in order for rap lyrics or any other form of artistic expression to be admissible at trial, prosecutors must meet four specific requirements:

1. Intent: The defendant must have intended to adopt the literal meaning of the artistic work as their own statement or belief.
2. Factual Nexus: There must be a clear connection between the artwork and the specific facts of the alleged crime.
3. Relevance: The artwork must be relevant to an issue that is in dispute during the trial.
4. Probative Value: The artwork must have distinct probative value that cannot be demonstrated by other admissible evidence.

Prosecutors must prove all four of these elements by clear and convincing evidence in a pre-trial hearing. If they fail to do so, the artwork cannot be used as evidence in the trial.

The bill’s main goal is to protect the First Amendment rights of individuals, ensuring that creative works are not unfairly used against defendants in criminal cases. The bill, which has gained bipartisan support, was introduced by State Representative Kasey Carpenter.

As the bill moves forward, it highlights the ongoing conversation about the intersection of art, expression, and the law. If passed, this legislation could have significant implications for how creative works are treated in Georgia courtrooms.