Governor Newsom today signed a suite of bills including critical pieces of legislation authored by Commissioners on the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls and co-sponsored by the Commission.

Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer Kahan’s (D-Orinda) bill, AB 1287 eliminating the “pink tax” on goods marketed to women has been a two-year project of the Commission and we are thrilled to see California take this first step toward a more equitable economic environment for women and girls by eliminating the “pink tax” and prohibiting price differentials for substantially similar goods.

“I’m thrilled that Governor Newsom has signed AB 1287, eliminating gendered pricing in California” said Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda). “The “pink tax” is an unequal burden that means women are charged more, even as they are paid less than men. It’s past time to end this practice and I’m proud our state has finally done so.”

“With women as a whole making an average of 79 cents to every dollar a man makes, and women of color making even less, this wasn’t a tax we could afford to ignore,” said Holly Martinez, Executive Director of the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls. “Women make up as much as 85% of consumer purchases in the United States and the pink tax represents $1,300 annually that can now be returned to her to fund retirement, home ownership, education, or to recover economically from the pandemic crisis.”

Senator Monique Limón’s (D – Santa Barbara) bill, SB 1162 increasing Pay Transparency and Equity is key to building a workplace and a future California in which the gender wage gap will no longer exist.

“This is a big moment for California workers, especially women and people of color who have long been impacted by systemic inequities that have left them earning far less than their colleagues,” said Senator Limón. “California has once again shown its dedication to creating a more equitable economy with SB 1162. As we continue to build a sustainable economy, we must ensure every worker is paid equitably.”

The Commission celebrates the signing of this vital legislation which requires employers to disclose a position’s pay range in job listings and to employees who request it, as well as expanding pay data reporting to include contractors. Both actions increase transparency and empower workers to demand fair pay while once again California leads the way on building a more equitable state.

“The California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls is excited to see California take this step towards ending gender inequities in the workforce and thank the Governor for his support,” said Holly Martinez, Executive Director. “We are grateful to Commissioner Limón for leading the way alongside the coalition partners who advocated tirelessly for this important legislation. The research is clear, pay transparency leads to pay equity and reporting will help close the gender and racial pay gap, particularly for women and people of color who are more likely to experience it.”

The California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls applauds the Governor for signing additional important legislation the Commission supported as for its 2022 legislative priorities. Assembly Member Dr. Akilah Weber’s (D-La Mesa) bill, AB 2185 expanding access to medical evidentiary exams provides domestic violence survivors with no-cost exams, enhances services for victims, improves best practices and strengthens connections to local assistance.

Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman’s (D-Stockton) bill, SB 1017 ensuring survivors of abuse can remain in their homes without the fear of eviction, is essential to the security, safety, and well-being of those healing from abusive relationships and we applaud this important protection now available to survivors.

The California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls is proud to have supported these important bills that were also priorities for the California Legislative Women’s Caucus during the 2021-2022 legislative session and we are grateful to the Governor for his signature on each one. The pandemic induced economic crisis affected all Californians, but women have been hit especially hard and these efforts are critical to rebuilding a more equitable California for ALL.

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CONTACT:
Darcy Totten
Director of Communications
California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls
Phone: (916) 261-6705
Email: Darcy.Totten@women.ca.gov
Website: www.women.ca.gov