California · Government Code

GOV §19704: (a) It is unlawful to require, permit, or suffer any notation or entry to be made upon or in any application, examination paper, or other paper, book, document, or record used under this part indicati

Misdemeanor

What this law says, in plain English

It is unlawful to mark applications, exam papers, or employment records with notations indicating protected characteristics such as race, color, religion, sex, or other bases defined under fair employment law.

Read the full statutory text

(a) It is unlawful to require, permit, or suffer any notation or entry to be made upon or in any application, examination paper, or other paper, book, document, or record used under this part indicating or in any way suggesting or pertaining to any basis listed in subdivision (a) of Section 12940, as those bases are defined in Sections 12926 and 12926.1. (b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), subsequent to employment, ethnic, marital status, and gender data may be obtained and maintained for research and statistical purposes when safeguards preventing misuse of the information exist as approved by the Civil Rights Council, except that in no event shall any notation, entry, or record of that data be made on papers or records relating to the examination, appointment, or promotion of an individual.

Verify at the official source: California legislative text

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.