CaliforniaCalifornia would clarify what sex discrimination means in state laws
California would read existing sex or gender discrimination bans to cover listed real or assumed traits and actions, including gender identity and pregnancy-related care choices.
What it does
State bans on sex or gender discrimination would use a definition covering harassment tied to real or assumed traits and actions, including gender identity and pregnancy-related care choices.
In existing rules for business services, jobs, and housing, “sex” would include the bill's listed traits and actions, such as gender identity and pregnancy-related care choices.
If this bill and AB 1940 both take effect on or before January 1, 2027, and AB 1940 changes state job and housing definitions, the list would also include menopause stages and related conditions.
Argument forPeople facing harassment over gender identity or pregnancy-related care choices could more easily show how an existing discrimination ban applies.
Argument againstBusinesses and employers might spend more time deciding how the detailed definition applies to disputes over assumed traits or pregnancy-related care choices.
More detail
California would require existing sex or gender discrimination bans to use the bill's definition of sex discrimination. This applies to California laws that already ban discrimination based on sex, gender, or similar grounds. Harassment counts as discrimination under this definition. If definitions conflict, the rule giving people greater protection controls. The bill says it reflects existing protections and is meant to leave rights and duties as they are.
The bill would add its listed traits and actions to the meaning of “sex” in two existing discrimination laws. One law covers equal service at businesses. The other covers discrimination in jobs and housing.
The bill would include menopause stages and related medical conditions in its sex discrimination definition if the AB 1940 conditions are met. This covers discrimination based on a person's real or assumed menopause stage or related medical condition. AB 1940 must become law and amend the section defining terms for state job and housing discrimination rules. Both this bill and AB 1940 must take effect on or before January 1, 2027, for the added wording to apply.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Sep 30Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 952, Statutes of 2026.Latest
- Sep 30Approved by the Governor Gavin Newsom.Became Law
- Sep 10Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.To Governor
- Aug 31
- Vote recorded AB 2563 Pacheco Concurrence in Senate Amendments. Result: pass.Lower
- Aug 30Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 60. Noes 15. Page 6880.).Major
- Aug 28In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
- Aug 27Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 30. Noes 10.).Passed Senate
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading AB2563 Pacheco et al. By Menjivar. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 24Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Aug 21Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.Major
- Jun 30Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Jun 29From committee: Be ordered to second reading pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8.Minor
- Jun 17From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 9. Noes 2.) (June 16). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Jun 16
- Vote recorded Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 10Referred to Com. on JUD.Minor
- May 27In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.Minor
- Vote recorded AB 2563 Pacheco Assembly Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- May 26Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 58. Noes 17. Page 5386.)Passed Assembly
- May 19Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- May 18Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.Major
- May 14From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 11. Noes 4.) (May 14).Major
- Vote recorded Do pass as amended. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 22In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.Minor
- Apr 13Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Apr 9Read second time and amended.Major
- Apr 8From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 9. Noes 3.) (April 7).Major
- Apr 7
- Vote recorded Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 16Referred to Com. on JUD.Minor
- Feb 21From printer. May be heard in committee March 23.
- Feb 20Read first time. To print.Introduced
Civil Rights & VotingReproductive Rights