SECTION 1.
The Legislature hereby finds and declares all of the following:(a) California is a leader in protecting civil rights and preventing discrimination.
(b) California’s robust nondiscrimination laws include protections on the basis of religion, race, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and disability, among other characteristics.
(c) California’s strong public policy against unlawful discrimination is reflected in numerous statutes. The California Fair Employment and Housing Act (Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 12960) of Part 2.8 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code) and the Unruh Civil Rights Act (Section 51 of the Civil Code) prohibit unlawful discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodation, and services provided by business establishments on the basis of certain personal characteristics, such as sex, race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, or sexual orientation. Section 11135 of the Government Code specifically prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of many of these same characteristics in the conduct, operation, or administration of any program or activity that is by the state or by any state agency, funded directly by the state, or receives any financial assistance from the state.
(d) California’s Public Contract Code similarly affirms these nondiscrimination policies and prohibits a state agency from entering into certain contracts with any contractor unless the contractor complies with all appropriate state laws concerning wages, workplace safety, rights to association and assembly, and nondiscrimination standards as well as appropriate federal laws.
(e) Both freedom of speech and religion are cornerstones of law and public policy in the United States, and the Legislature strongly supports and affirms these important freedoms.
(f) The exercise of one’s First Amendment rights is not a justification for engaging in acts of unlawful discrimination.
(g) California must take action to avoid supporting or financing unlawful discrimination against protected classes.
(h) It is the policy of the State of California to promote fairness and equality and to combat unlawful discrimination and if California hopes to remain a national leader on behalf of these communities, action must be taken to recognize that discriminatory laws and policies are unacceptable for California’s partners in business.
(i) California has significant influence in the marketplace. The state at times operates not as a market regulator, but as a market participant, and in this latter role it may determine that companies engaging in discriminatory actions in the conduct and operation of their business adversely affects the state’s procurement activities and places the state in a position of supporting activities that could be seen as a violation of the nondiscrimination policies of the State of California.
(j) It is the intent of the Legislature to ensure that taxpayer funds are not used to do business with or otherwise support any state or private entity that engages in discriminatory actions against individuals under the pretext of exercising First Amendment rights. This includes, but is not limited to, discriminatory actions taken against individuals of the Jewish faith under the pretext of a constitutionally protected boycott or protest of the State of Israel.
(k) It is the intent of the Legislature to ensure that taxpayer funds are not used to do business with or support discriminatory actions against any individuals.