SB 225 promotes civic participation by state residents, regardless of U.S. citizenship or immigration status
The Department of Consumer Affairs’ (DCA) boards and bureaus work to ensure all California residents receive safe, licensed, and regulated professional services. And thanks to a new law, more California residents can help uphold that vital process.
Signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom and effective this January, Senate Bill (SB) 225 by Sen. María Elena Durazo encourages more Californians to take part in a wide array of civic opportunities by allowing California residents, whether they are U.S. citizens or not, to serve in appointed civil offices such as appointments with DCA boards and bureaus. The law also allows appointees to receive compensation for that service, like per diems, in the same manner as U.S. citizen appointees as long as federal law doesn’t otherwise bar it.
The goal of the legislation is that anyone who lives in California and who meets an appointment’s requirements, regardless of legal status, can be appointed to serve on boards and commissions, therefore expanding the pool of those who can contribute their life and educational experiences to these regulatory bodies.
“SB 225 ensures that the largest and most diverse state in the nation upholds the values of democracy and expands access to boards and commissions to all qualified Californians, including undocumented immigrants,” she said.
DCA boards, bureaus, and commissions offer civic opportunities that make real differences in the lives of nearly 40 million Californians. To find out more about the 38 DCA entities, their vacancies and appointments, and how you can make a difference, please visit www.dca.ca.gov/about_us/board_members/index.shtml.
