BILL NUMBER: SB 161	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Soto

                        FEBRUARY 8, 2005

   An act to amend Section 50265 of the Government Code, relating to
local human relations commissions.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 161, as introduced, Soto.   Local human relations commissions.
   Existing law authorizes cities and counties to create commissions
on human relations with the responsibility to, among other things,
foster mutual respect and understanding among all racial, religious,
and nationality groups in the community, inquire into incidents of
tension and conflict among or between these groups, hold conferences
and other public meetings in the interest of resolution of these
tensions, and enlist the cooperation and participation of these
groups and others, as specified, to foster mutual esteem, justice,
and equity.
   This bill would make a technical, nonsubstantive change to that
authorization.
   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.  Section 50265 of the  Government Code  is amended to
read:
   50265.  A commission on human relations created under the
provisions of Section 50262 shall discharge  all of  the
following obligations:(a) To hold conferences, and other public
meetings, in the interest of the constructive resolution of tensions,
prejudice, and discrimination among or between groups of people,
including people subject to prejudice and discrimination due to race,
religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical
disability, mental disability, marital status, gender, sexual
orientation, socioeconomic status, civic interest, or any other
factors.
   (b) To issue any publications and reports of investigation as in
its judgment will tend to effectuate the purposes of this article.
   (c) To enlist the cooperation and participation of a variety of
people, including people subject to prejudice and discrimination due
to race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical
disability, mental disability, marital status, gender, sexual
orientation, socioeconomic status, civic interest, or any other
factors, industry and labor organizations, media or mass
communication, fraternal and benevolent associations, and other
groups in an educational campaign devoted to fostering among the
diverse groups of the community mutual esteem, justice and equity.
   (d) To encourage and stimulate agencies under the jurisdiction of
the local governing body that created the commission to take any
action as will fulfill the purposes of this article.
   (e) To submit an annual report to the governing body.