SB 242 is a
bill
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Common meanings
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* Bill (law), a proposed law put before a legislature
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Pl ...
which was proposed in the
California Senate
The California State Senate is the upper house of the California State Legislature (the lower house being the California State Assembly). The state senate convenes, along with the state assembly, at the California State Capitol in Sacramento.
N ...
February 24, 2009, by Senator Leland Yee (D), as a modification of the
Unruh Civil Rights Act
The Unruh Civil Rights Act (colloquially the "Unruh Act") is an expansive 1959 California law that prohibits California businesses from engaging in unlawful discrimination against all persons (consumers) within California's jurisdiction, where the ...
in
California
California () is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States that lies on the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. It borders Oregon to the north, Nevada and Arizona to the east, and shares Mexico–United States border, an ...
.
It was approved (vote 3–2) by Committee in March, 2009.
It was approved (vote 21–15) by the Senate on April 16, 2009.
It was amended July 14, 2009. The changes improve the clarity of the wording of the bill, but do not change the meaning of the bill.
It was approved (vote of 48–27) by the Assembly on August 20, 2009.
(As of 26 August 2009)
SB 242 must receive a procedural concurrence vote in the Senate before heading to the Governor's desk.
This bill was vetoed by the Governor on October 11, 2009.
Excerpts from the bill's text
''Legislative Counsel's Digest'' (from the amended version)
The Unruh Civil Rights Act generally prohibits business
establishments from discriminating on the basis of sex, race, color,
religion, ancestry, national origin, disability, or medical
condition.
This bill would make it a violation of the Unruh Civil Rights Act
The Unruh Civil Rights Act (colloquially the "Unruh Act") is an expansive 1959 California law that prohibits California businesses from engaging in unlawful discrimination against all persons (consumers) within California's jurisdiction, where the ...
to adopt or enforce a policy that requires, limits,
or prohibits the use of any language in or with a
business establishment, unless the policy is justified by a business necessity, as defined, and
notification has been provided of the circumstances and the time when
the language restriction or requirement is to be observed
and of the consequences for its violation.
The bill would define business necessity to require, among other things, that the language
restriction or requirement is necessary for the safe and efficient operation of the
business and that an equally effective, but less discriminatory,
alternative practice does not exist.
Controversy
It is of concern to many companies that this legislation will either open them to lawsuits, or increase their cost of doing business in California, as they could be subject to minimum damages of $4,000, if a business limits the use of a customer's language, even if unintentionally.
See also
*
Politics of California
The politics of the U.S. state of California form part of the politics of the United States. The politics are defined by the Constitution of California.
Government
California's government consist ...
*
Unruh Civil Rights Act
The Unruh Civil Rights Act (colloquially the "Unruh Act") is an expansive 1959 California law that prohibits California businesses from engaging in unlawful discrimination against all persons (consumers) within California's jurisdiction, where the ...
External links
Does the United States have an official national language?*James Crawford'
Language Policy Web Site & Emporium
References
Proposed laws of California
2009 in California
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