(a) An individual employed under a special license pursuant to Section 1191 or 1191.5 of the Labor Code in a nonprofit sheltered workshop, day program, or rehabilitation facility may bring an action under this part for any form of harassment or discrimination prohibited by this part.

(b) If an individual specified in subdivision (a) brings an action against an employer for any form of harassment or discrimination prohibited by this part, the employer has an affirmative defense to the action by proving, by a preponderance of evidence, both of the following:

Terms Used In California Government Code 12926.05

  • Discrimination: includes refusal to sell, rent, or lease housing accommodations. See California Government Code 12927
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Mental disability: includes , but is not limited to, all of the following:

    California Government Code 12926

  • Statute: A law passed by a legislature.
  • Subdivision: means a subdivision of the section in which the term occurs unless some other section is expressly mentioned. See California Government Code 10

(1) The challenged activity was permitted by statute or regulation.

(2) The challenged activity was necessary to serve employees with disabilities under a special license pursuant to Section 1191 or 1191.5 of the Labor Code.

(c) Nothing in this part relating to discrimination on account of disability shall subject an employer to legal liability for obtaining a license pursuant to § 1191.5 of the Labor Code or paying an individual with a physical or mental disability less than minimum wage pursuant to either Section 1191 or § 1191.5 of the Labor Code.

(d) The Legislature finds and declares that the definition of employee in subdivision (c) of Section 12926 was not intended to permit the harassment of, or discrimination against, an individual employed under a special license pursuant to Section 1191 or 1191.5 of the Labor Code in a nonprofit sheltered workshop, day program, or rehabilitation facility.

(Added by Stats. 2016, Ch. 683, Sec. 2. (AB 488) Effective January 1, 2017.)