Plain English Breakdown
The official status shows the bill passed both chambers, but the last action listed is 'Held under submission,' which may indicate a delay before final enrollment or signature.
AB-1878: Rules for Collecting Race and Ethnicity Data
This law requires California state agencies to collect, standardize, and publish detailed race and ethnicity data by January 1, 2029, while protecting personal information from federal disclosure unless required by federal law.
What This Bill Does
- Requires state agencies that collect demographic data on race or ethnic origin to use specific categories for Middle Eastern, North African, Asian, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, Black, and African American groups starting January 1, 2029.
- Directs the Office of Data and Innovation to standardize how all state agencies collect this demographic information.
- Requires agencies to submit annual reports on compliance to the Legislature and the Assembly Committee on Governmental Organization starting in 2028.
- Mandates that collected data be made available to the public, excluding personal identifying details like names or addresses.
- Prohibits state agencies from sharing personal identifying information with federal agencies unless a specific federal law requires it.
Who It Names or Affects
- California state agencies, boards, and commissions that collect demographic data directly or through contracts.
- The Office of Data and Innovation within the Government Operations Agency.
- Californians whose race or ethnicity information is collected by these government bodies.
Terms To Know
- Demographic data
- Information about a population, such as ethnic origin, ethnicity, or race.
- Office of Data and Innovation
- A state office that helps government agencies use technology and data to improve services.
- Personal identifying information
- Details like names or addresses that can be used to identify a specific person.
Limits and Unknowns
- The bill does not change existing rules about collecting data on ancestry.
- Agencies must still follow state and federal standards for reporting demographic data, even if they differ from this law's categories.
- A specific requirement to report on implementation of previous laws will end on January 1, 2032.