State Assembly Passes Civil Rights Act of 2007

Bill Remedies 51 Nondiscrimination Deficiencies in State Law Covering Emergency Services, Awarding of Public Contracts, Food Stamp Eligibility, Use of Public Beache

SACRAMENTO – The State Assembly today approved by a vote of 46-29 the Civil Rights Act of 2007, a bill authored by Assemblymember John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) that strengthens and clarifies 51 nondiscrimination business and government provisions in state law by referencing the strongest standards of nondiscrimination protection, which include: race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, ethnic group identification, age, disability, medical condition, marital status, sex (including gender identity) and sexual orientation.

“This bill moves California a significant step forward in filling key gaps in civil rights protections, as well as preventing unnecessary litigation,” said Assemblymember Laird.  “All Californians deserve the strongest level of protection available in state law—this bill does that for 51 codes that are currently deficient.”

Sponsored by Equality California and the California State Conference of the NAACP, AB 14 increases or clarifies protections for various so-called “protected classes” in a variety of situations such as jury service, the issuance of credit cards, voter registration programs, delivery of emergency services, awarding of public contracts, food stamp eligibility, and the use of public beaches. 

AB 14 ensures that 51 nondiscrimination provisions are consistent with the Unruh Civil Rights Act and a Government Code provision that applies to state-funded programs and activities. Because these 51 provisions currently do not name all of these protected classes, there is an existing deficiency in protection for Californians, in addition to confusion for those charged with implementing and complying with these laws.

AB 14 is the fourth bill in a series of nondiscrimination bills authored by Assemblymember Laird and would bring to 108 the number of provisions updated through bills authored by him.  In 2004, Mr. Laird authored AB 2900, which amended 35 labor and employment related nondiscrimination provisions.  In 2005, he authored AB 1400, which amended the Unruh Civil Rights Act and four related provisions to clarify that people are protected from discrimination regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or marital status.  And in 2006, Mr. Laird authored AB 2800, which amended 17 housing related nondiscrimination provisions. All three bills were signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger.