Local government: collection of demographic data.

Plain English Breakdown

The exact categories and tabulations for Black or African American groups are not detailed in the official summary.

Local Government: Collecting Data About People's Background

This law requires cities and counties in California to collect more detailed demographic data on new hires' ancestry or ethnic origin, including specific categories for Black or African American groups, starting January 1, 2027.

What This Bill Does

• Requires cities and counties to start collecting more detailed demographic data on new hires' ancestry or ethnic origin by January 1, 2027.
• Includes specific collection categories and tabulations for Black or African American groups when collecting this information.
• Makes it clear that these requirements apply to all cities and counties in California, including those with special charters.
• Provides for state reimbursement of local agencies if the Commission on State Mandates determines there are costs mandated by the state.

Who It Names or Affects

• Cities and counties in California
• People hired by cities and counties

Terms To Know

Charter city

A city that has a special set of rules for how it operates, different from other cities.

State-mandated local program

When the state requires local governments to do something new or different.

Limits and Unknowns

• The exact categories and tabulations for Black or African American groups are not detailed in this summary.
• It is unclear what specific costs will be reimbursed by the state until determined by the Commission on State Mandates.

Official Summary Text

SB 515, Richardson.
Local government: collection of demographic data.
Existing law requires the State Controller’s Office, to the extent the office has completed the functionality necessary, and the Department of Human Resources, when collecting demographic data as to the ancestry or ethnic origin of Californians hired into state employment, to use additional collection categories and tabulations for specified Black or African American groups.
This bill would, commencing January 1, 2027, require a city, county, or city and county, including a charter city, when collecting demographic data as to the ancestry or ethnic origin of persons hired for employment by a city, county, or city and county, to include the additional collection categories and tabulations for specified Black or African American groups, as
described above. The bill would make related findings and declarations. By imposing new duties on cities, counties, or a city and county, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The bill would include findings that changes proposed by this bill address a matter of statewide concern rather than a municipal affair and, therefore, apply to all cities, including charter cities.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

Current Bill Text

Download Bill PDF