(a) It is the intent of the Legislature that the State Bar maintain its commitment to and support of effective policies and activities to enhance access, fairness, and diversity in the legal profession and the elimination of bias in the practice of law.

(b) The Legislature finds and declares the following:

(1) The rich diversity of the people of California requires a justice system that is equally accessible and free of bias and is a core value of the legal profession.

(2) Diversity and inclusion are an integral part of the State Bar’s public protection mission to build, retain, and maintain a diverse legal profession to provide quality and culturally sensitive services to an ever-increasing diverse population.

(3) Diversity increases public trust and confidence and the appearance of fairness in the justice system and therefore increases access to justice.

(4) The State Bar should continue to increase diversity and inclusion in the legal profession.

(c) The State Bar shall develop and implement a plan to meet the goals set forth in this section, which may include, but is not limited to, an assessment of needed revenue. The State Bar shall prepare and submit a report to the Legislature, by March 30, 2019, and every two years thereafter, on the plan and its implementation, including a description of activities undertaken to support the plan, their outcomes, and their effectiveness.

(Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 697, Sec. 3. (SB 40) Effective January 1, 2024.)