It is hereby declared as the public policy of this state that it is necessary to protect and safeguard the right and opportunity of all persons to seek, obtain, and hold employment without discrimination or abridgment on account of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, reproductive health decisionmaking, or military and veteran status.

It is recognized that the practice of denying employment opportunity and discriminating in the terms of employment for these reasons foments domestic strife and unrest, deprives the state of the fullest utilization of its capacities for development and advancement, and substantially and adversely affects the interests of employees, employers, and the public in general.

Terms Used In California Government Code 12920

  • Age: refers to the chronological age of any individual who has reached a 40th birthday. See California Government Code 12926
  • creed: include all aspects of religious belief, observance, and practice, including religious dress and grooming practices. See California Government Code 12926
  • Discrimination: includes refusal to sell, rent, or lease housing accommodations. See California Government Code 12927
  • Gender: means sex, and includes a person's gender identity and gender expression. See California Government Code 12926
  • Gender expression: means a person's gender-related appearance and behavior whether or not stereotypically associated with the person's assigned sex at birth. See California Government Code 12926
  • Genetic information: includes any request for, or receipt of, genetic services, or participation in clinical research that includes genetic services, by an individual or any family member of the individual. See California Government Code 12926
  • Medical condition: means either of the following:

    California Government Code 12926

  • Mental disability: includes , but is not limited to, all of the following:

    California Government Code 12926

  • Physical disability: includes , but is not limited to, all of the following:

    California Government Code 12926

  • Reproductive health decisionmaking: includes , but is not limited to, a decision to use or access a particular drug, device, product, or medical service for reproductive health. See California Government Code 12926
  • Sex: includes , but is not limited to, the following:

    California Government Code 12926

  • Sexual orientation: means heterosexuality, homosexuality, and bisexuality. See California Government Code 12926
  • Source of income: includes a federal Department of Housing and Urban Development Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing voucher. See California Government Code 12927
  • State: means the State of California, unless applied to the different parts of the United States. See California Government Code 18
  • Veteran or military status: means a member or veteran of the United States Armed Forces, United States Armed Forces Reserve, the United States National Guard, and the California National Guard. See California Government Code 12926

Further, the practice of discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, ancestry, familial status, source of income, disability, veteran or military status, or genetic information in housing accommodations is declared to be against public policy.

It is the purpose of this part to provide effective remedies that will eliminate these discriminatory practices.

This part shall be deemed an exercise of the police power of the state for the protection of the welfare, health, and peace of the people of this state.

(Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 630, Sec. 3. (SB 523) Effective January 1, 2023.)

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