Local government: collection of demographic data.

Senator Richardson’s measure would require California cities, counties, and city-county governments to expand the demographic data they collect on employees and job applicants to include additional categories and tabulations for Black or African American groups, reflecting data about descendants of persons enslaved and emancipated in the United States. The requirement would take effect on January 1, 2027 and would apply to all local jurisdictions, including charter cities.

Mechanisms and specifics: The expanded categories are described in the state’s existing statute governing demographic data, and local governments would implement those categories when collecting ancestry or ethnic-origin information for employment. The measure foregrounds privacy and secure handling of the collected data in accordance with applicable privacy laws. It would be treated as a state-mandated local program, with reimbursements available if the Commission on State Mandates determines the costs are mandated, under the established reimbursement framework. The bill does not create penalties.

Scope and regulatory context: The policy covers local governments across California, relying on an existing framework for data collection at the state level. The bill’s findings contend that the change addresses a statewide concern and apply to all cities, including charter cities. Any costs and compliance would be assessed through the state mandate mechanism, not through a dedicated appropriation in the bill. The precise data categories and tabulations are to come from the referenced statute rather than the measure itself.

Broader context and implementation considerations: The measure seeks to support policy planning and resource allocation by improving demographic data on a historically affected population, while prioritizing privacy protections. Local agencies would need to adjust human resources information systems, reporting procedures, and privacy controls ahead of the effective date, and guidance would be shaped by implementing regulations and the mandate reimbursement process. The ultimate impact depends on the definitions and guidance tied to the referenced categories and on how reimbursements are determined.