Lieu Introduces Bill To Reflect The Diversity Of Asian Pacific Islander Community

Sacramento, CA – Assemblymember Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) today introduced AB 295, a bill that would ensure that state-collected data is separated into additional Asian Pacific Islander (API) ethnic groups, as currently reported in the U.S. Census.

“In order to fully understand the diversity of Asian Pacific Islander communities, it is critical that data is collected for different API ethnic groups,” said Assemblymember Lieu. “Contrary to the image of Asian Pacific Islanders being a homogenous group, API communities come from a variety of cultural, historical and socio-economic backgrounds.  Comprehensive data collection is one of many steps to accurately identify the community’s needs."

Under current law, California collects data for eleven API ethnic groups.  AB 295 would expand the number of API ethnic group categories as well as align these categories with API data reported in the federal U.S. Census.  AB 295 would add Hmong, Tongan, Thai, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, Malaysian, Indonesian, Taiwanese, and Fijian to the current API ethnic group categories.

“For too long, Asian Pacific Islanders have been classified as 'other' or simply not counted at all,” said Stewart Kwoh, Executive Director of the Asian Pacific American Legal Center. “Today, we must recognize not only the presence of APIs in California but the diversity of cultures, languages, and ethnicities that exist among Asian Pacific Islanders. Data that is broken out by specific ethnic groups is critical to having an accurate understanding of how each community is faring, and California now has an opportunity to ensure data collection mirrors the many Asian Pacific Islander ethnic groups that exist.”

Asian Pacific Islanders represent about 14% of California’s population and continue to grow. Data separated by API ethnic groups reveals that many groups experience significant problems and challenges.

“We need to recognize the great importance of collecting in depth API data,” Lieu said. “AB 295 will help ensure that the needs of the individual groups will not be masked by overall averages and services can be appropriately targeted.”

AB 295 is sponsored by Asian Americans for Civil Rights and Equality (AACRE).  Assemblymembers Torrico (D-Fremont), Ma (D-San Francisco), and Eng (D-Monterey Park) are co-authors of the bill.