Existing law, the Unruh Civil Rights Act, provides that all persons within the jurisdiction of this state are entitled to full and equal accommodations in all business establishments of every kind whatsoever, regardless of their sex, race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship, primary language, or immigration status. Existing law requires the Civil Rights Department, among other things, to enforce the provisions of the Unruh Civil Rights Act. Existing law authorizes aggrieved persons to, among other remedies, file a complaint with the Civil Rights Department.

This bill would provide related declarations, including the intent of the Legislature to clarify that those provisions of existing law fully apply to early childcare and education settings and prohibit discrimination in access to and provision of those services.

This bill would specify that “business establishments of every kind whatsoever” includes, but is not limited to, entities and individuals that provide early care and education services to the public for a fee or other consideration, including licensed childcare centers, licensed family childcare homes, and family, friend, and neighbor care providers, regardless of whether the services are publicly funded.

The bill would prohibit its provisions from being construed to limit existing protections or requiring the disclosure of immigration or citizenship status.