Governor Newsom has signed Senate Bill (SB) 1340, which mandates the Civil Rights Department to collaborate with local agencies to prevent and eliminate unlawful practices. Local agencies may now play a more active role in handling discrimination complaints, potentially providing quicker and more localized responses.

SB 1340 now provides that any political subdivision of the state may enact and enforce anti-discrimination laws that are at least as protective as state law. Importantly for employers, local enforcement may occur only after the Civil Rights Department issues a right-to-sue notice; however, the statute of limitations provided in the right-to-sue notice is extended during any local enforcement, without prohibiting the potential plaintiff from filing during local enforcement.

The changes take effect January 1, 2025.