Bill > SB518

This bill establishes the Bureau for Descendants of American Slavery within California's Civil Rights Department to address historical harms of slavery and systemic racism. The bureau will be led by a deputy director appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate, and will have three primary divisions: Genealogy, Education and Outreach, and Legal Affairs. The Genealogy Division will verify and certify individuals as descendants of enslaved persons before 1900, using specific criteria such as being emancipated through legal means or having ancestors who were classified as fugitives or deemed contraband. The Education and Outreach Division will develop public education campaigns about historical discrimination, including topics like gentrification, redlining, and urban planning. The Legal Affairs Division will provide legal counsel and ensure the bureau's programs are administered correctly. The bill emphasizes strict privacy protections for personal and genetic information, requiring informed consent and limiting data disclosure. Funding for the bureau will come from various sources, including federal, state, and local grants, as well as private donations, though donors cannot influence the bureau's operations. Implementation is contingent on legislative appropriation, and the bureau's scope is intended to expand over time to address the persistent consequences of slavery and systemic racism as outlined in the California Reparations Report.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs, Justice

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB518