{"id":371756,"date":"2016-03-31T21:34:27","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:34:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/california-law\/california-civil-rights-laws.html"},"modified":"2026-04-06T09:30:46","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T14:30:46","slug":"california-civil-rights-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/california-law\/california-civil-rights-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"California Civil Rights Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n \n California Civil Rights Laws\n <\/h1>\n \n The rights of individuals to receive equal treatment under the law are collectively called civil rights. \n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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California\u2019s civil rights laws<\/span> are the legal protections in the California State Code to prevent discrimination and provide equal access to employment, housing, and public services. These laws expand federal civil rights protections by covering more protected classes, such as gender identity<\/span> and medical conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Civil rights laws prevent discrimination in a range of daily activities. Employment, housing, education, and the right to marry are all part of your civil rights. The U.S. Constitution guarantees most civil rights, and federal laws<\/span> cover the remainder at the national level.<\/p>\n

State civil rights laws typically mirror federal laws<\/span>. State laws<\/span> may expand on federal laws<\/span>, provided they do not infringe on federal laws<\/span> or violate constitutional rights.<\/p>\n

California civil rights laws<\/span> contain more protected classes and cover a wider range of employers and businesses. California is noteworthy for supporting immigration rights and LGBTQ+ protections.<\/p>\n

California Civil Rights Laws<\/span><\/h2>\n

Californians<\/span> have the same civil rights as all other U.S. citizens<\/a>. California civil rights laws<\/span> are codified in the California State Code and enforced by various branches of the state government.<\/p>\n

The Unruh <\/span>Civil Rights Act<\/span><\/h3>\n

The Unruh <\/span>Civil Rights Act<\/span> of 1959<\/a> broadly prevents any business from discriminating against anyone on the basis of any protected category, including:<\/p>\n