Bill Text: CA SB1500 | 2017-2018 | Regular Session | Chaptered
Bill Title: Prohibited discrimination against service members.
Spectrum: Committee Bill
Status: (Passed) 2018-07-16 - Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 117, Statutes of 2018. [SB1500 Detail]
Download: California-2017-SB1500-Chaptered.html
| Senate Bill No. 1500 |
| CHAPTER 117 |
An act to amend Section 394 of the Military and Veterans Code, relating to service members.
[
Approved by
Governor
July 16, 2018.
Filed with
Secretary of State
July 16, 2018.
]
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SB 1500, Committee on Veterans Affairs.
Prohibited discrimination against service members.
Existing law prohibits various types of discrimination against a member of the military or naval forces of the state or of the United States because of his or her membership or service, including, among others, discrimination with respect to his or her employment. Existing law prohibits an employer or officer or agent of a corporation, company, or firm, or other person from, among other things, discharging a person from employment because of the performance of any ordered military duty or training or by reason of being a member of the military or naval forces of the state. Existing law prohibits a person from refusing entrance into specified places to any member of the Army or Navy of the United States or of the military or naval forces of this state because that member wears the uniform of the organization to which he or she belongs. Existing law provides criminal penalties and civil
remedies for violations of these prohibitions.
This bill would extend the protections against, among other things, discharge from employment to members of the federal reserve components of the Armed Forces of the United States and members of the State Military Reserve. The bill would additionally prohibit refusing entrance into specified places to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States because that member wears the uniform of the organization to which he or she belongs. By expanding the scope of a crime, this bill would create a state-mandated local program.
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 no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
Digest Key
Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YESBill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
Section 394 of the Military and Veterans Code is amended to read:394.
(a) A person shall not discriminate against a member of the military or naval forces of the state or of the United States because of that membership. A member of the military forces shall not be prejudiced or injured by a person, employer, or officer or agent of a corporation, company, or firm in terms, conditions, or privileges with respect to that member’s employment, position or status or be denied or disqualified for employment by virtue of membership or service in the military forces of this state or of the United States.(b) An officer or employee of the state, or of any county, city and county, municipal corporation, or district shall not discriminate against a member of the military
or naval forces of the state or of the United States because of that membership. A member of the military forces shall not be prejudiced or injured by an officer or employee of the state, or of any county, city and county, municipal corporation, or district in terms, conditions, or privileges with respect to that member’s employment, appointment, position, or status or be denied or disqualified for or discharged from that employment or position by virtue of membership or service in the military forces of this state or of the United States.
(c) A person shall not prohibit or refuse entrance to a member of the Armed Forces of the United States or of the military or naval forces of this state into any public entertainment or place of amusement or into any of the places described in Sections 51 and 52 of the Civil Code because that
member wears the uniform of the organization to which he or she belongs.
(d) An employer or officer or agent of a corporation, company, or firm, or other person, shall not discharge a person from employment because of the performance of any ordered military duty or training or by reason of being
a member of the military or naval forces of this state or of the federal reserve components of the Armed Forces of the United States, or hinder or prevent that person from performing any military service or from attending any military encampment or place of drill or instruction he or she may be called upon to perform or attend by proper authority; prejudice or harm him or her in any manner in his or her terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, position, or status by reason of performance of military service or duty or attendance at military encampments or places of drill or instruction; or dissuade, prevent, or stop any person from enlistment or accepting a warrant or commission in the California National Guard, State Military
Reserve, or Naval Militia or the federal reserve components of the Armed Forces of the United States by threat or injury to him or her in respect to his or her terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, position, status, trade, or business because of enlistment or acceptance of a warrant or commission.
(e) (1) A private employer or officer or agent of a corporation, company, or firm, or other person, shall not restrict or terminate any collateral benefit for employees by reason of an employee’s temporary incapacitation incident to duty in the National Guard, State Military Reserve, or Naval Militia or the federal reserve
components of the Armed Forces of the United States. As used in this subdivision, “temporary incapacitation” means any period of incapacitation of 52 weeks or less.
(2) As used in this subdivision, “benefit” includes, but is not limited to, health care which may be continued at the employee’s expense, life insurance, disability insurance, and seniority status.
(f) A person who provides lending or financing shall not discriminate against a person with respect to the terms of a loan or financing, including, but not limited to, the finance charge, based on that person’s membership in the military or naval forces of this state or of the United States. With respect to a loan or credit transaction covered by Section 987 of Title 10 of the United States Code, as amended by 126
Stat. 1785 (Public Law 112-239), and Part 232 (commencing with Section 232.1) of Subchapter M of Chapter I of Subtitle A of Title 32 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as amended as published on July 22, 2015, on Page
43560 in Number 140 of Volume 80 of the Federal Register, a person that does not market or extend those transactions to covered borrowers shall not be in violation of this section. For purposes of this section, a covered borrower has the same meaning as provided for in Part 232 (commencing with Section 232.1) of Subchapter M of Chapter I of Subtitle A of Title 32 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as amended on the date described in this subdivision.
(g) A person violating this section is guilty of a misdemeanor. In addition, a person violating any of the provisions of this section shall be liable for actual damages and reasonable attorney’s fees incurred by the injured party.
(h) The remedies provided for in this section are not intended to be exclusive but are in
addition to the remedies provided for in other laws, including Sections 51 and 52 of the Civil Code.
