After California Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill Saturday, Sept. 8, California employers are now restricted from discriminating against religious clothing, such as turbans.
Similarly, Brown also signed another bill requiring the State Board of Education to consider a new history framework for schools that will include, according to the governor, the contributions and role of the Sikh community in California.
Director of law and policy for the Sikh Coalition Rajdeep Singh, believes this new law is needed in order to clarify exactly how to accommodate religious practices of certain workers, especially since Sikhs and other religious minorities have been continuously experiencing job discrimination.
The new law, taking effect Jan. 1, 2013, prohibits segregation of the workers from the public or customers. Although the bill is sponsored by the Sikh Coalition, the bill could protect Christians who face discrimination as well.
AB 1964 includes the “wearing of jewelry or an ornament that is part of the observance of the religious faith practiced by the individual,” according to a bill analysis.