BILL NUMBER: AB 2159	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Members Gonzalez and Bonta
   (Coauthor: Assembly Member Medina)

                        FEBRUARY 17, 2016

   An act to add Section 351.2 to the Evidence Code, relating to
evidence.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 2159, as introduced, Gonzalez. Evidence: immigration status.
   Existing law provides that all relevant evidence is admissible in
an action before the court, including evidence relevant to the
credibility of a witness or hearsay declarant, subject to specified
exceptions.
   This bill would provide that, in civil actions for personal injury
or wrongful death, evidence of a person's immigration status is not
admissible and discovery of a person's immigration status is not
permitted. The bill would also express the intent of the Legislature
that these restrictions do not affect the rights or obligations of a
person under other specified provisions of law.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.


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

  SECTION 1.  The Legislature finds and declares that Section 351.2
of the Evidence Code does not affect the rights or obligations of a
person under Section 3339 of the Civil Code, Section 7285 of the
Government Code, Section 24000 of the Health and Safety Code, or
Section 1171.5 of the Labor Code.
  SEC. 2.  Section 351.2 is added to the Evidence Code, to read:
   351.2.  In a civil action for personal injury or wrongful death,
evidence of a person's immigration status shall not be admitted into
evidence, nor shall discovery into a person's immigration status be
permitted.