First-Ever State Caste Bias Ban Heads to California Governor

California’s first-in-the-nation legislation to ban caste discrimination is on its way to Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), after a final vote by state lawmakers to approve it.

The bill (SB 403) would add caste to the definition of ancestry, which is already protected against bias in the workplace, housing, and schools under California’s anti-discrimination laws. If Newsom signs it, California will be the first state in the US to specifically prohibit discrimination based on caste. Seattle became the first US city to ban caste bias earlier this year.

The state Assembly previously passed the measure in August and the ...