Senator Aisha Wahab’s Caste Discrimination Bill Makes Its Way to the Assembly

Sacramento, CA —During a Senate floor vote on Thursday, Senator Aisha Wahab’s SB 403, Discrimination on the Basis of Caste, passed with a vote of 34 to 1. The bill would clarify California civil rights law to explicitly include protection against discrimination based on a person’s perceived position in a caste.

Of the successful vote, Senator Wahab said “California reaffirms its commitment to stand against discrimination and I’m proud that this is a bipartisan effort amongst my colleagues. SB 403 is one of the most high-profile bills in the legislature this session, and brought out a record number of people to comment on the bill at the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in April.

Senator Wahab, who has been working on this bill since November 2022, has received numerous threats, including death threats. The bill passed the Senate Judiciary Committee with unanimous bipartisan support.

Of the legislation, Senator Aisha Wahab says “this bill is about workers’ rights, women’s rights, and civil rights. This bill is about ensuring the American Dream is accessible to all those who pursue it.” SB403 is now headed to the Assembly, and must make its way through committees and a floor vote before it reaches Governor Newsom’s desk.

The bills is supported by ACLU, Bend the Arc, California Labor Federation, Alphabet Workers Union, MeToo International, and many others.

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Senator Aisha Wahab represents the 10th Senate District, which includes the cities of Fremont, Hayward, Newark, Union City, Milpitas, San Jose, Santa Clara, and Sunnyvale; as well as unincorporated communities of Alameda and Santa Clara counties including Fairview, Alum Rock, East Foothills. Senator Wahab lives in Hayward. Website of Senator Aisha Wahab:
https://sd10.senate.ca.gov