Employment: bias mitigation training: unlawful discrimination.

Senator Smallwood-Cuevas's workplace discrimination legislation carves out legal protections for employees participating in bias mitigation training programs, establishing that good-faith acknowledgment of personal biases during employer-mandated training does not constitute unlawful discrimination under California law.

The bill defines bias mitigation training as educational activities designed to help employees understand and recognize both conscious and unconscious thought processes and their impacts. These programs must include specific strategies such as bias assessment, workshops, and progress tracking. The legislation's findings indicate that these provisions aim to encourage employer-led bias training initiatives while maintaining existing anti-discrimination protections under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act.

Under the new framework, employers can implement comprehensive bias mitigation programs without concern that employee participation and self-assessment could trigger discrimination claims. The Civil Rights Department would continue its existing role in investigating workplace discrimination complaints, with this legislation providing additional context for evaluating cases involving bias training activities.