Sacramento (CA) – Yesterday, four of Assemblymember Chris Holden’s bills passed Senate Policy Committees. The package of social justice bills that passed include The Upward Mobility Act, AB 105; use of force training for private security, AB 229; transportation contracts for disadvantaged communities, AB 349; and real estate appraisal reform, AB 948.
AB 105 would address barriers to upward mobility and inclusion for people of color working in California’s civil services system. Specifically, the legislation would require diversity on all state boards and commissions that have volunteers, and reform processes that hinder upward mobility for people of color in the civil service system, giving attention to compliance, the appeals process, and annual parity goals for upward mobility.
“Upward mobility is integral to achieving racial justice, and we should be setting the example,” said Assemblymember Chris Holden. “The existing systems in place at our own state agencies fail to create inclusive workplace environments, and hinder qualified individuals to move on up within their department simply based on the color of their skin.”
AB 229 would require the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS) to develop curriculum and training courses on the appropriate use of force for private security service employees in consultation with the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training.
“When private security are responsible for the safety of the general public, those private operators must have the proper training in order to apply the appropriate use of force in any particular situation,” said Assemblymember Chris Holden. “We put a lot of attention on our State’s peace officers, but private security, who sometimes are in similar circumstances, need comparable training.”
AB 349 would require the Department of General Services (DGS) and other state agencies and departments, to expand outreach to small businesses, particularly those owned by individuals that identify as LGBTQ, racial minorities, or women, passed the Senate Governmental Organization Committee
“This bill is about ensuring equity and a just COVID-19 recovery,” said Assemblymember Chris Holden. “We know communities of color continue to be disproportionally impacted by COVID-19 with higher rates of unemployment, reduced access to healthcare, and ultimately higher death rates. This bill will bring economic opportunities to these communities who are also hit hardest by taxes on gas and transportation.”
AB 948 would require the Bureau of California Real Estate Appraisals to gather data on demographic information of buyers and sellers of real estate property and compile data of homeowners from protected classes who file complaints based on low appraisals. The legislation also requires appraisers to take anti-bias training when renewing their license.
“Black homeowners in predominately white neighborhoods are getting their homes appraised for far less than their neighbors,” said Assemblymember Chris Holden. “It’s just another example of how bias, whether explicit or implicit, creates inequity for Black Americans. This is redlining 2.0.”
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