Data collection: race and ethnicity: minimum categories.

Plain English Breakdown

The bill does not specify penalties for non-compliance.

Data Collection Rules for Race and Ethnicity

This bill sets minimum categories that state agencies must use when collecting data about race and ethnicity in California.

What This Bill Does

• Requires state agencies to collect data on at least seven main categories of race and ethnicity, plus the top six detailed categories and specific write-in options.
• Establishes a new position called Chief Statistician within the Demographic Research Unit to standardize how demographic data is collected across different state agencies.
• Requires each agency to report annually to the Legislature about their compliance with these rules starting January 1, 2027.

Who It Names or Affects

• State agencies in California
• Californians whose data is being collected

Terms To Know

Demographic Research Unit

A part of the Department of Finance that works with census data and helps state agencies understand population trends.

Chief Statistician

A new position within the Demographic Research Unit responsible for making sure all state agencies collect demographic data in a consistent way.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify what happens if an agency fails to comply with these rules.
• It is unclear how much it will cost to implement these new requirements across different state agencies.

Official Summary Text

AB 1186, as amended, Patel.
Data collection: race and ethnicity: minimum categories.
Existing law requires state agencies, boards, or commissions that directly or by contract collect demographic data on the ethnic origin, ethnicity, or race of Californians to use specified collection categories for Asian, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, Black, and African American groups.
Existing law establishes the Demographic Research Unit within the Department of Finance, which, among other things, acts as the primary state government liaison with the United States Census Bureau in the acquisition and distribution of census data and related documentation to state agencies.
This bill, subject to a specified exception, would require any state agency, board, or commission that directly or by
contract collects demographic data on the ethnic origin, ethnicity, or race of Californians to collect data on at least the
7
minimum categories on race and ethnicity, as defined, as well as at least the top
6
9
largest detailed
categories,
categories, and prescribed write-in options,
as provided. The bill would require compliance with these provisions by January 1, 2029.
The
The bill would establish, within the Demographic Research Unit, the position of the Chief Statistician of California, who would be required to, among other things, standardize collection of demographic data across state agencies, as provided. The
bill would require the
Chief Statistician of California and the
Demographic Research Unit
within the Department of Finance
to oversee implementation of these provisions and provide technical assistance.
The
The
bill would also require, on or before January 1, 2027, and annually thereafter, each state agency, board, or commission required to comply with the bill’s provisions to submit a report to the Legislature and the Assembly Committee on Governmental Organization on compliance with these provisions, as provided. The bill would require data collected pursuant to this section to be made available to the public in accordance with state and federal law, except for personal identifying information, as specified.
The bill would prohibit an agency from disclosing personal identifying information to any federal agency unless the disclosure is expressly required by federal law.

Current Bill Text

Download Bill PDF