CALIFORNIA –The California State Legislature approved Monday, Aug. 22 legislation that will strengthen the existing law regarding the provision of equal benefits to employees. The Equal Benefits bill (SB 117), authored by Sen. Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego), passed with a 22-13 vote.
The bill would prohibit a state agency from entering into a contract in the amount of $100,000 or more with a contractor who discriminates between employees with spouses or domestic partners of a different sex and employees with spouses or domestic partners of the same sex, or discriminates between same-sex and different-sex domestic partners of employees or between same-sex and different-sex spouses of employees.
Roland Palencia, Executive Director of Equality California, said, “Current law allows our state to do business with companies that unfairly discriminate against workers because of their sexual orientation. The Equal Benefits bill advances full equality for all and ensures that our state’s tax dollars do not subsidize discrimination.”
Sen. Kehoe said, “Providing the same benefits to an employee with a domestic partner, or same-sex or opposite-sex spouse ensures that workers receive equal pay for equal work. California should lead the way for other employers to provide benefits that are non-discriminatory.”
Other cities that have adopted such ordinances include Los Angeles, Sacramento, Oakland, Berkeley, San Mateo County, San Diego and Santa Monica.
The bill now moves to the Governor’s desk for his signature.
