Group says it may move conference from Atlanta

ATLANTA - An Atlanta-based umbrella group of human rights organizations says it will relocate its bi-annual conference from Georgia to another state if the governor signs an immigration bill passed by the Legislature last month.

U.S. Human Rights Network spokeswoman Aimee Castenell said Monday the group had planned to hold its conference in Atlanta in December and expected about 500 attendees. The group hadn't booked a convention space but was talking to several venues.

The bill includes some provisions similar to a tough law enacted last year in Arizona. It authorizes law enforcement officers to check the immigration status of certain suspects. It also requires many businesses to verify the immigration status of new hires using an online federal database.

Gov. Nathan Deal has said he plans to sign the legislation.