Discrimination Involving State Funded Programs

The Civil Rights Department (CRD) is responsible for enforcing state laws that make it illegal for programs or activities administrated by the state or by recipients of state funding to discriminate because of a protected characteristic (see “What is Protected” below). CRD also enforces the state laws that require state contractors to take certain steps to prevent discrimination.


Requirements

Requirements for State Contractors

California Government Code section 12990(c) requires that every state contract and subcontract for public works or for goods or services contain a nondiscrimination clause prohibiting discrimination on the bases listed in the box “Who is Protected.” Contractors and subcontractors are also required to give written notice of their obligations under the nondiscrimination clause to labor organizations with which they have a collective bargaining or other agreement. This notice requirement also must be specified within the nondiscrimination clause itself. If you become aware that a state contract or subcontract does not conform to Section 12990, or that a contractor or subcontractor has not complied with the requirements of Section 12990, you can file a complaint with the CRD.

Title 2 of the California Code of Regulations, section 11114, requires all state agencies to inform CRD of any awards of contracts over $5,000, using Department of General Services form STD 16 (“Contract Award Report”). That form may be obtained at the following link: Contract Award report (External PDF). Once the form is completed, it should be sent to CRD at complianceprograms@calcivilrights.ca.gov. (If you receive an error message, please try manually typing the email address rather than allowing Outlook to prepopulate it.)

Requirements for Recipients of State Funding

All recipients of state funding or state financial assistance—including contractors, grantees, local agencies, and programs or activities of all types—are prohibited from discriminating against any individuals on the bases listed in the box “Who is Protected.” Such discrimination includes denial or restriction of access to public accommodations (such as housing or businesses), as well as to streets, highways, hospitals, and other public facilities and places, or to programs or activities, as well as a failure to provide reasonable accommodations to permit such access.

Protected Characteristics

  • Sex, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions)
  • Race, color
  • Gender identity, gender expression
  • Religion, creed
  • Ancestry, national origin
  • Ethnic group identification
  • Age
  • Disability, mental and physical
  • Medical condition
  • Genetic information
  • Marital status
  • Sexual orientation

Communication Center: 800-884-1684 (voice), 800-700-2320 (TTY) or
California's Relay Service at 711 | contact.center@calcivilrights.ca.gov