STATUS: Enacted

Amended the Unruh Civil Rights Act to clarify certain specific professional relationships, outdside of employment, where sexaul harassment is prohibited; removed procedural hurdles for plaintiffs asserting claims under the Act; and provided enforcement authority to state anti-discriination agency.

California law not only prohibits sexual harassment in the workplace, but also in business, service, and professional relationships under the Unruh Civil Rights Act. This bill clarified that sexual harassment by investors, elected officials, lobbyists, directors, and producers is prohibited under the Unruh Civil Rights Act. SB 224 also extended protections to situations in which a defendant holds him or herself out as being able to help the plaintiff establish a business, service, or professional relationship with the defendant or a third party. Finally, it removed a previous requirement in the law that the plaintiff prove that he or she could not easily terminate the relationship, and provided enforcement jurisdiction to the Department of Fair Employment & Housing

Read the full bill.