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AB-972 • 2026

Postsecondary education: discrimination: sex.

Postsecondary education: discrimination: sex.

Education
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Wilson
Last action
2025-05-28
Official status
Referred to Coms. on ED. and JUD.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide details about the inclusion of other protected categories beyond 'sex'.

Postsecondary Education: No Sex Discrimination

AB-972 adds 'sex' to a list of protected categories that postsecondary educational institutions cannot discriminate against if they receive state financial assistance or enroll students who receive state aid.

What This Bill Does

  • Adds 'sex' as a characteristic that is protected from discrimination in programs and activities at postsecondary schools.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Postsecondary educational institutions that receive state financial assistance or enroll students who receive state student financial aid.

Terms To Know

Discrimination
Treating someone unfairly because of a characteristic like sex, gender identity, or disability.
Postsecondary educational institution
A college, university, or other school that students attend after high school.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify what actions schools must take to comply with the new rule.
  • It is unclear how this change will be enforced or what penalties might apply for violations.

Bill History

  1. 2025-05-28 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Coms. on ED. and JUD.

  2. 2025-05-15 California Legislative Information

    In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.

  3. 2025-05-15 California Legislative Information

    Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 58. Noes 8. Page 1561.)

  4. 2025-05-07 California Legislative Information

    Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

  5. 2025-05-06 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 9. Noes 2.) (May 6).

  6. 2025-04-28 California Legislative Information

    Re-referred to Com. on JUD.

  7. 2025-04-24 California Legislative Information

    Read second time and amended.

  8. 2025-04-23 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on JUD. (Ayes 7. Noes 1.) (April 22).

  9. 2025-04-08 California Legislative Information

    In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.

  10. 2025-03-17 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Coms. on HIGHER ED. and JUD.

  11. 2025-02-21 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 23.

  12. 2025-02-20 California Legislative Information

    Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 972, as amended, Wilson.
Postsecondary education: discrimination: sex.
Existing law prohibits a person from being subjected to discrimination on the basis of specified characteristics, including, among others, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation in a program or activity conducted by a postsecondary educational institution that receives, or benefits from, state financial assistance or enrolls students who receive state student financial aid.
This bill would expressly include sex in the list of specified characteristics.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF