Local government: collection of demographic data.

Senator Richardson's proposal to enhance demographic data collection for Black and African American employees would require California's local governments to adopt more detailed categorization methods starting January 1, 2027. The measure extends existing state-level demographic reporting requirements to cities and counties, mandating the inclusion of specific subcategories when collecting data about employees' ancestry and ethnic origin.

The legislation establishes data collection protocols aimed at identifying descendants of persons enslaved and emancipated in the United States, termed American Freedmen in the bill's findings. Local governments must implement these additional categories while adhering to privacy protection standards and existing data security regulations. The measure applies uniformly across all California municipalities, including charter cities, as the Legislature has designated demographic data collection a matter of statewide concern rather than a municipal affair.

Under the bill's provisions, local agencies may receive state reimbursement for costs associated with implementing the new requirements, subject to review by the Commission on State Mandates. This reimbursement mechanism follows established procedures outlined in state law for mandated local programs.