Bill Text: CA SB31 | 2017-2018 | Regular Session | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: California Religious Freedom Act: state agencies: disclosure of religious affiliation information.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 13-2)

Status: (Passed) 2017-10-15 - Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 826, Statutes of 2017. [SB31 Detail]

Download: California-2017-SB31-Introduced.html

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CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2017–2018 REGULAR SESSION

Senate Bill

No. 31

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Introduced by Senator Lara

December 05, 2016

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An act to add Section 8310.3 to the Government Code, relating to state government.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

SB 31, as introduced, Lara. State agencies: disclosure of religious affiliation information.

Existing law prohibits a state agency from including a question regarding an applicant‘s race, sex, marital status, or religion in any application form for employment.

This bill would prohibit a state agency from providing or disclosing to the federal government information regarding a person’s religious affiliation when the information is sought for compiling a database of individuals based solely on religious affiliation.

Digest Key

Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: NO   Local Program: NO  

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Bill Text

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

 The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:

(a) In California, we celebrate the rich cultural heritage and diversity of our residents.

(b) Freedom of religion and protection from persecution on the basis of religion is one of the founding ideals of our nation.

(c) California must uphold the protection of religious freedom enshrined in the United States Constitution for all of its people, and the state has a moral obligation to protect its citizens from religious persecution.

(d) Section 4 of Article I of the California Constitution guarantees the free exercise and enjoyment of religion without discrimination or preference.

SEC. 2.

 Section 8310.3 is added to the Government Code, to read:

8310.3.

 Notwithstanding any other law, a state agency shall not provide or disclose to federal authorities personal information regarding the religious affiliation of any individual that is requested for the purpose of compiling a database of individuals based solely on religious affiliation.