BILL NUMBER: SB 185	CHAPTERED  09/07/99

	CHAPTER   343
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE   SEPTEMBER 7, 1999
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR   SEPTEMBER 7, 1999
	PASSED THE SENATE   AUGUST 19, 1999
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY   JULY 15, 1999
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   JULY 7, 1999
	AMENDED IN SENATE   APRIL 12, 1999
	AMENDED IN SENATE   APRIL 5, 1999

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Peace

                        JANUARY 14, 1999

   An act to add Chapter 30 (commencing with Section 22940) to
Division 8 of the Business and Professions Code, relating to billing
practices.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 185, Peace.  Billing practices:  individual marital status.
   Existing law governing businesses and professions prescribes
various special business regulations.
   This bill would add special business regulations making it
unlawful for any business to use words expressly referencing an
individual's marital status as part of the individual's mailing
address on a billing statement, related correspondence, enclosing
envelope, or any solicitation for new business.  It would exempt from
this prohibition the use of the prefixes "Mr.," "Mrs.," "Ms.," or
"Miss."  It would prescribe certain civil penalties for any violation
of these provisions.


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


  SECTION 1.  Chapter 30 (commencing with Section 22940) is added to
Division 8 of the Business and Professions Code, to read:

      CHAPTER 30.  BILLING PRACTICES

   22940.  It shall be unlawful for any business to use words
expressly referencing an individual's marital status as part of the
individual's mailing address on a billing statement, related
correspondence, enclosing envelope, or any solicitation for new
business.  This shall not prohibit the use of the prefix "Mr.,"
"Mrs.," "Ms.," or "Miss."
   22941.  Any violation of this chapter shall be punishable by a
civil penalty of up to two hundred fifty dollars ($250) for each
violation.