SECTIONS 12920-12922 - California Statutes

GOVERNMENT CODE

SECTION 12920-12922

12920. It is hereby declared as the public policy of this state
that it is necessary to protect and safeguard the right and
opportunity of all persons to seek, obtain, and hold employment
without discrimination or abridgment on account of race, religious
creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental
disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, age, or sexual
orientation.
It is recognized that the practice of denying employment
opportunity and discriminating in the terms of employment for these
reasons foments domestic strife and unrest, deprives the state of the
fullest utilization of its capacities for development and
advancement, and substantially and adversely affects the interest of
employees, employers, and the public in general.
Further, the practice of discrimination because of race, color,
religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin,
ancestry, familial status, source of income, or disability in housing
accommodations is declared to be against public policy.
It is the purpose of this part to provide effective remedies that
will eliminate these discriminatory practices.
This part shall be deemed an exercise of the police power of the
state for the protection of the welfare, health, and peace of the
people of this state.

12920.5. In order to eliminate discrimination, it is necessary to
provide effective remedies that will both prevent and deter unlawful
employment practices and redress the adverse effects of those
practices on aggrieved persons. To that end, this part shall be
deemed an exercise of the Legislature's authority pursuant to Section
1 of Article XIV of the California Constitution.

12921. (a) The opportunity to seek, obtain and hold employment
without discrimination because of race, religious creed, color,
national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability,
medical condition, marital status, sex, age, or sexual orientation is
hereby recognized as and declared to be a civil right.
(b) The opportunity to seek, obtain, and hold housing without
discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual
orientation, marital status, national origin, ancestry, familial
status, source of income, disability, or any other basis prohibited
by Section 51 of the Civil Code is hereby recognized as and declared
to be a civil right.

12922. Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, an
employer that is a religious corporation may restrict eligibility for
employment in any position involving the performance of religious
duties to adherents of the religion for which the corporation is
organized.