Bill Text: CA AB549 | 2023-2024 | Regular Session | Amended

California Assembly Bill 549

Bill Title: Gender discrimination.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)

Status: (Failed) 2024-02-01 - From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56. [AB549 Detail]

Download: California-2023-AB549-Amended.html

Amended IN Assembly March 08, 2023

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2023–2024 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill

No. 549

Introduced by Assembly Member Wilson
(Coauthors: Assembly Members Bauer-Kahan and Calderon)

February 08, 2023

An act to add Chapter 3.15 (commencing with Section 8250.2) to Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code, relating to discrimination.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AB 549, as amended, Wilson. Gender discrimination.

Existing law prohibits discrimination and harassment in employment and housing based on certain factors, including, among others, sex and gender.

This bill would require all state agencies, in consultation with the Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, to conduct an evaluation of their own departments to ensure that the state does not discriminate against women through the allocation of funding and the delivery of services. The bill, on or before January 1, ~~2024,~~ 2025, and on or before January 1 every 2 years thereafter, would require state agencies to report their findings and recommendations, as specified, to the commission.

Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:

(a) The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) is an international “Bill of Rights” for women. It is the first and only international instrument that comprehensively addresses women’s rights within political, cultural, economic, social, and family life.

(b) There is a continued need for the State of California to protect the human rights of women and girls by addressing discrimination, including violence, against them and to implement the principles of the CEDAW. Adherence to the principles of the CEDAW on the state level will especially promote equal access to and equity in health care, employment, economic development, and educational opportunities for women and ~~girls~~ girls, and will also address the continuing and critical problems of violence against women and girls.

(c) The state should implement the principles underlying the CEDAW by addressing discrimination against women and girls in ~~areas~~ areas, including, but not limited to, economic development, education, employment practices, violence against women and girls, and health care products and services.

(d) There is a need to analyze the operations of state departments, policies, and programs to identify discrimination in, but not limited to, employment practices, budget allocation, and the provision of direct and indirect services and, if identified, to remedy that discrimination. In addition, there is a need to work toward implementing the principles of the CEDAW in the private sector.

SEC. 2.

Chapter 3.15 (commencing with Section 8250.2) is added to Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code, to read:

CHAPTER 3.15. Gender Discrimination

8250.2.

(a) All state agencies, including the California Department of Aging, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the Employment Development Department, the State Department of Education, the Department of Fair Employment and Housing, the State Department of Health Care Services, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, shall conduct an evaluation of their own departments to ensure that the state does not discriminate against women through the implementation of state policies and programs, including the allocation of funding and delivery of services.

(b) On or before January 1, ~~2024,~~ 2025, and on or before January 1 every two years thereafter, state agencies shall report their findings to the Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, with recommendations for which practices and policies, if any, should change to ensure that the state does not discriminate against women as provided in subdivision (a).