It is unlawful for any political subdivision, contractor, or subcontractor, charged with the administration of a state-funded early care and education program, as defined in subdivision (f) of Section 10421, to do any of the following:

(a) Impose or threaten to impose reprisals on providers, to discriminate or threaten to discriminate against providers, or otherwise to interfere with, restrain, or coerce providers because of their exercise of rights guaranteed by this chapter. For purposes of this subdivision, “provider” includes providers seeking to participate in state-funded early care and education programs as providers.

(b) Deny to provider organizations rights guaranteed to them by this chapter.

(c) Dominate or interfere with the formation or administration of any provider organization, or contribute financial or other support to it, or in any way encourage providers to join any provider organization in preference to another.

(d) Deter or discourage providers from becoming or remaining members of a provider organization, or from authorizing representation by a provider organization, or from authorizing dues or other voluntary deductions to a provider organization. For purposes of this subdivision, “provider” includes individuals seeking to participate in state-funded early care and education programs as providers.

(Added by Stats. 2021, Ch. 116, Sec. 260. (AB 131) Effective July 23, 2021.)