ATLANTA, Ga. (AP) — State House Republicans plan to introduce a bill to keep the city of Atlanta from punishing a country club because it denied same-sex couples the benefits given to other families.

The measure would forbid any government in Georgia from sanctioning a private social organization if its rules abide by the Georgia Constitution and the U.S. Constitution, said Rep. Earl Ehrhart (R-Powder Springs), the bill’s chief sponsor.

“I want to make it crystal clear,’’ Ehrhart said. “If you comply with state law, you can’t be punished.’’

Under Georgia law, marriage is legal only between a man and a woman, and the state constitution does not prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

But Atlanta prohibits such discrimination and allows gay and unmarried heterosexual couples to register as domestic partners, which guarantees them some rights similar to marriage.

Atlanta’s Human Relations Commission, a panel tasked with reviewing discrimination complaints, advised the city that Druid Hills Golf Club was in violation of the city’s ordinance. The commission heard a complaint jointly filed by Lee Kyser and Randy New against the 1,100-member club.

Kyser, a clinical psychologist, wants her partner, attorney and political activist Lawrie Demorest, to have the privileges given to members’ spouses. New, an attorney, is seeking the same for his partner, Dr. Russell Tippins, who is a radiologist.

Druid Hills Golf Club says its bylaws permit such privileges only for members who are legally married.

The commission’s report suggests the club should create a system that accords gay couples the same benefits as married couples.

Mayor Shirley Franklin has until mid-February to decide whether the club should be investigated for alleged discrimination.