BILL NUMBER: AB 1887	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Low
   (Coauthor: Assembly Member Ting)

                        FEBRUARY 11, 2016

   An act to add Section 11139.8 to the Government Code, relating to
discrimination.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1887, as introduced, Low. State Government: discrimination:
travel.
   Existing law prohibits discrimination on the basis of race,
national origin, ethnic group identification, religion, age, sex,
sexual orientation, color, genetic information, or disability under
any state program or activity. Existing law provides for officers and
employees of the state, when away from their headquarters for state
business, to receive travel expenses.
   This bill would prohibit state-funded or state-sponsored travel to
any state with a law in effect that sanctions or requires
discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity,
or gender expression, subject to specified exceptions.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 11139.8 is added to the Government Code, to
read:
   11139.8.  (a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (1) California is a leader in protecting civil rights and
preventing discrimination.
   (2) California's robust nondiscrimination laws include protections
on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender
expression, among other characteristics.
   (3) Religious freedom is a cornerstone of law and public policy in
the United States, and the Legislature strongly supports and affirms
this important freedom.
   (4) The exercise of religious freedom should not be a
justification for discrimination.
   (5) California must take action to avoid supporting or financing
discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender
people.
   (6) It is the policy of the State of California to promote
fairness and equality and to combat discrimination.
   (b) All agencies, departments, boards, authorities, commissions,
the University of California, the Board of Regents, of the University
of California and the California State University shall review all
requests for state-funded or state-sponsored travel to any state with
a law in effect that sanctions or requires discrimination on the
basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
   (c) Any state-funded or state-sponsored travel to locations
described in subdivision (b) is prohibited, unless that travel is
necessary for the enforcement of California law, to meet prior
contractual obligations, or for the protection of public health,
welfare, or safety.
   (d) The prohibition on state-funded travel described in this
section shall continue while any law specified in subdivision (b)
remains in effect.