California 2017 2017-2018 Regular Session

California Senate Bill SB31 Introduced / Bill

Filed 12/05/2016

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20172018 REGULAR SESSION Senate Bill No. 31Introduced by Senator LaraDecember 05, 2016 An act to add Section 8310.3 to the Government Code, relating to state government. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSB 31, as introduced, Lara. State agencies: disclosure of religious affiliation information.Existing law prohibits a state agency from including a question regarding an applicants 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 persons 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 Bill TextThe 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.

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20172018 REGULAR SESSION

Senate Bill No. 31

Introduced by Senator LaraDecember 05, 2016

Introduced by Senator Lara
December 05, 2016

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

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

## 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 applicants 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 persons religious affiliation when the information is sought for compiling a database of individuals based solely on religious affiliation.

Existing law prohibits a state agency from including a question regarding an applicants 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 persons religious affiliation when the information is sought for compiling a database of individuals based solely on religious affiliation.

## Digest Key

## 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.

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

## 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.

SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:

### SECTION 1.

(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.

SEC. 2. Section 8310.3 is added to the Government Code, to read:

### SEC. 2.

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.