ARTICLE 1. Unlawful Practices [12960. - 12976.]

Cal. Government Code - GOV 1.

in effect

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 12960. Section 12960.

(a) This article governs the procedure for the prevention and elimination of practices made unlawful pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 12940) of Chapter 6. (b) For purposes of this section, filing a complaint means filing an intake form with the department and the operative date of the verified complaint relates back to the filing of the intake form. (c) Any person claiming to be aggrieved by an alleged unlawful practice may file with the department a verified complaint, in writing, that shall state the name and address of the person, employer, labor organization, or employment agency alleged to have committed the unlawful practice complained of, and that shall set forth the particulars thereof and contain other information as may be required by the department. The director or the director’s authorized representative may in like manner, on that person’s own motion, make, sign, and file a complaint. (d) Any employer whose employees, or some of them, refuse or threaten to refuse to cooperate with this part may file with the department a verified complaint asking for assistance by conciliation or other remedial action. (e) (1) A complaint alleging a violation of Section 51, 51.5, 51.7, 54, 54.1, or 54.2 of the Civil Code shall not be filed pursuant to this article after the expiration of one year from the date that the alleged unlawful practice or refusal to cooperate occurred. (2) A complaint alleging a violation of Section 52.5 of the Civil Code shall not be filed pursuant to this article after the expiration of the applicable period of time for commencing a civil action pursuant to that section. (3) A complaint alleging a violation of Article 9.5 (commencing with Section 11135) of Chapter 1 of Part 1 shall not be filed pursuant to this article after the expiration of three years from the date that the alleged unlawful practice occurred or refusal to cooperate occurred. (4) A complaint alleging a violation of Section 1197.5 of the Labor Code shall not be filed pursuant to this article after the expiration of the applicable period of time for commencing a civil action pursuant to that section. (5) A complaint alleging a violation of Section 51.9 of the Civil Code or any other violation of Article 1 (commencing with Section 12940) of Chapter 6 shall not be filed after the expiration of three years from the date upon which the unlawful practice or refusal to cooperate occurred. (6) Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) through (5), inclusive, the filing periods set forth by this section may be extended as follows: (A) For a period of time not to exceed 90 days following the expiration of the applicable filing deadline, if a person allegedly aggrieved by an unlawful practice first obtained knowledge of the facts of the alleged unlawful practice during the 90 days following the expiration of the applicable filing deadline. (B) For a period of time not to exceed one year following a rebutted presumption of the identity of the person’s employer under Section 12928, in order to allow a person allegedly aggrieved by an unlawful practice to make a substitute identification of the actual employer. (C) For a period of time, not to exceed one year from the date the person aggrieved by an alleged violation of Section 51.7 of the Civil Code becomes aware of the identity of a person liable for the alleged violation, but in no case exceeding three years from the date of the alleged violation if during that period the aggrieved person is unaware of the identity of any person liable for the alleged violation. (D) For a period of time not to exceed one year from the date that a person allegedly aggrieved by an unlawful practice attains the age of majority. (E) For the periods of time specified in Section 52.5 of the Civil Code for complaints alleging a violation of that section. (f) (1) Notwithstanding any tolling or limitations period under any other law, the time for a complainant to file a civil action under a statute referenced in this section shall be tolled during the period commencing with the filing of a complaint with the department for an alleged violation of that statute until either of the following: (A) The department files a civil action for the alleged violation under this part. (B) One year after the department issues either of the following to a complainant: (i) Written notice that it has closed its investigation without electing to file a civil action for the alleged violation. (ii) If the complainant timely appeals to the department the closure of their complaint, written notice that the complaint has remained closed following the appeal to the department. (2) The tolling provided under this subdivision shall apply retroactively. (3) This subdivision is not intended to revive claims that have already lapsed.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 12961. Section 12961.

(a) If an unlawful practice alleged in a verified complaint adversely affects, in a similar manner, a group or class of persons of which the aggrieved person filing the complaint is a member, or if the unlawful practice raises questions of law or fact which are common to such a group or class, the aggrieved person or the director may file the complaint on behalf and as representative of such a group or class. (b) (1) A complaint filed pursuant to subdivision (a) may be investigated as a group or class complaint. (2) If in the judgment of the director circumstances warrant, a complaint investigated as a group or class complaint pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be treated as a group or class complaint for purposes of conciliation, dispute resolution, or civil action. (3) The director shall communicate in writing their determination to treat a complaint as a group or class complaint pursuant to paragraph (2) within one year after the filing of the complaint to each person, employer, labor organization, employment agency, or public entity alleged in the complaint to have committed an unlawful practice.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 12962. Section 12962.

(a) The department shall cause any verified complaint filed for investigation under the provisions of this part to be served upon the person, employer, labor organization, or employment agency alleged to have committed the unlawful practice complained of in any of the following ways: (1) In the manner specified in Section 415.20 of the Code of Civil Procedure. (2) In the manner specified in Section 415.30 of the Code of Civil Procedure. (3) In the manner specified in Section 1010.6 of the Code of Civil Procedure. (4) In any other manner specified in the Code of Civil Procedure. (5) Personally. (6) By certified mail with return receipt requested. (b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), if a person claiming to be aggrieved by an alleged unlawful practice hires or retains private counsel for purposes of representation of the claim, the private counsel, and not the department, shall cause the verified complaint filed under the provisions of this part to be served upon the person, employer, labor organization, or employment agency alleged to have committed the unlawful practice in any of the following ways: (1) In the manner specified in Section 415.20 of the Code of Civil Procedure. (2) In the manner specified in Section 415.30 of the Code of Civil Procedure. (3) In the manner specified in Section 1010.6 of the Code of Civil Procedure. (4) In any other manner specified in the Code of Civil Procedure. (5) Personally. (6) By certified mail with return receipt requested. (c) Service shall be made at the time of initial contact with the person, employer, labor organization, or employment agency or the agents thereof, or within 60 days, whichever first occurs. At the discretion of the director, the complaint may not contain the name of the complaining party unless the complaint is filed by the director or the director’s authorized representative.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 12963. Section 12963.

After the filing of any complaint alleging facts sufficient to constitute a violation of any of the provisions of this part, the department shall make prompt investigation in connection therewith.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 12963.1. Section 12963.1.

Upon the filing of a complaint under Section 12960, 12961, or 12980: (a) The department may issue and serve upon an individual, corporation, partnership, association, public entity, or other organization subpoenas to require the attendance and testimony of witnesses by deposition or otherwise, and in connection therewith, to require the production of books, records, documents, and physical materials in the possession of, or under the control of, the individual or organization named on the subpoena. (b) A subpoena shall be served by delivering a copy of the subpoena to the individual named on the subpoena or to any person who would be eligible to receive service of summons on behalf of the individual or organization named on the subpoena, as provided in Sections 416.10 through 416.90 of the Code of Civil Procedure. A subpoena issued to a person, employer, labor organization, employment agency, or public entity alleged to have committed an unlawful practice in a complaint filed under Section 12960 or 12961 may also be delivered to the agent or representative who has responded to the department concerning the complaint on behalf of such person, employer, labor organization, employment agency, or public entity. The copy of the subpoena may be delivered by personal service, by substituted service in accordance with Section 415.20 of the Code of Civil Procedure, or by certified mail. The affidavit of the individual serving the subpoena setting forth the manner of such service, along with the return post office receipt in the case of mail service, shall be sufficient proof of such service. (c) A subpoena for appearance and production of books, records, documents, and physical materials shall identify with reasonable particularity the things that are to be produced. The subpoena need not be accompanied by an affidavit showing good cause or the materiality of the things sought to be produced. (d) A subpoena for appearance and testimony at a deposition or other proceeding issued to a corporation, partnership, association, public entity, or other organization shall state with reasonable particularity the matters on which testimony is sought. The organization served with such a subpoena shall have the obligation of producing as a witness one or more officers, directors, managing agents, or other individuals to testify on its behalf as to the matters specified in the subpoena. (e) Service of a subpoena shall be made so as to allow the recipient of the subpoena a reasonable time for compliance. No individual named on a subpoena shall be obliged to attend as a witness before the department at a place out of the county in which that person resides, unless the distance is less than 150 miles from the individual’s place of residence or good cause appears why attendance of the witness at greater distance should be required. Each witness who has appeared pursuant to a subpoena shall, upon demand, be paid by the department the same fees and mileage allowed by law to witnesses in civil cases.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 12963.2. Section 12963.2.

Upon the filing of a complaint under Section 12960, 12961, or 12980: (a) The department may issue and serve written interrogatories on the same individuals and organizations and in the same manner as subpoenas may be issued and served under Section 12963.1. Any corporation, partnership, association, public entity, or other organization to which interrogatories are issued has the obligation of designating one or more officers, directors, managing agents, or other individuals to answer the interrogatories on the organization’s behalf. (b) Within 30 days after the service of the interrogatories, or such longer time as the department may permit, the recipient of the interrogatories shall serve on the department written answers either responding fully or stating any objection to each interrogatory separately. The answers shall be made under oath and shall be signed by each individual making them, and the answers shall identify which individual has responded to each interrogatory. (c) When in order to answer an interrogatory it is necessary to make a compilation, abstract, audit, or summary of the business records of the recipient of the interrogatory and such a compilation, abstract, audit, or summary does not exist or is not in the possession or under the control of the recipient, it shall be a sufficient answer to the interrogatory to so state and to specify the records from which the answer may be derived or ascertained and to afford the department reasonable opportunity to inspect and copy or make compilations, abstracts, or summaries from such records.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 12963.3. Section 12963.3.

(a) Depositions taken by the department shall be noticed by issuance and service of a subpoena pursuant to Section 12963.1. If, in the course of the investigation of a complaint, a subpoena is issued and served on an individual or organization not alleged in the complaint to have committed an unlawful practice, written notice of the deposition shall also be mailed by the department to each individual or organization alleged in the complaint to have committed an unlawful practice. (b) A deposition may be taken before any officer of the department who has been authorized by the director to administer oaths and take testimony, or before any other person before whom a deposition may be taken in a civil action pursuant to Section 2025.320 or subdivision (d) of Section 2026.010 of the Code of Civil Procedure. The person before whom the deposition is to be taken shall put the witness on oath and shall personally, or by someone acting under the person’s direction and in the person’s presence, record the testimony of the witness. The testimony shall be taken stenographically and transcribed unless the parties agree otherwise. All objections made at the time of the examination shall be noted on the deposition by the person before whom the deposition is taken, and evidence objected to shall be taken subject to the objections.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 12963.4. Section 12963.4.

(a) The department may issue and serve requests for production for inspection and copying of books, records, documents, and physical materials in the possession or under the control of an individual or organization. A request for production may be issued and served on the same individuals and organizations and in the same manner as subpoenas may be issued and served under Section 12963.1. (b) A request for production shall identify with reasonable particularity the things that are to be inspected and shall specify a reasonable time, place, and manner of making the inspection and performing the copying, and may prescribe such terms and conditions as are just. (c) Within 15 days after service of a request for production or such longer time as the department may permit, the recipient of the request shall serve on the department a written response with respect to each item requested, either stating that inspection and copying will be permitted as requested or objecting to the request and stating the grounds of the objection. Unless a request for production is objected to, the recipient of the request shall thereafter permit the inspection and copying requested by the department.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 12963.5. Section 12963.5.

(a) The superior courts shall have jurisdiction to compel the attendance and testimony of witnesses, the production of books, records, documents, and physical materials, and the answering of interrogatories. If an individual or organization fails to comply with a subpoena, interrogatory, request for production, or examination under oath by refusing to respond fully or objecting thereto, or by obstructing any proceeding before the department, the department may file with a superior court a petition for an order compelling compliance, naming as respondent the individual or organization that has failed to comply. Such an action may be brought in any county in which the department’s investigation or inquiry takes place, or in the county of the respondent’s residence or principal office. (b) The petition shall describe the inquiry or investigation before the department, the basis for its jurisdiction therein, and state facts showing that the subpoena, interrogatory, request for production, or examination under oath was issued or carried out in accordance with the requirements of this part, that the information sought was identified with sufficient particularity to permit response and is reasonably relevant to the inquiry or investigation before the department, and that the respondent has failed to comply. If the petition sets forth good cause for relief, the court shall issue an order to show cause to the respondent; otherwise the court shall enter an order denying the petition. The order to show cause shall be served, along with the department’s petition, on the respondent in the same manner as summons must be served in civil actions, and the order shall be returnable not less than 10 days from its issuance nor later than 45 days after the filing of the petition. The respondent shall have the right to serve and file a written answer or other response to the petition and order to show cause. (c) Unless otherwise stipulated by the parties, the court shall no later than 30 days after the filing of the petition file its order granting or denying the petition. However, the court may on its own motion for good cause extend such time an additional 30 days. If the order grants the petition in whole or part, the order shall set forth the manner in which the respondent shall comply and the period of time following the effective date of the order within which such compliance is required. A copy of the order shall be served by mail by the clerk upon the parties. If the order grants the petition in whole or in part, the order shall not become effective until 10 days after it is served. If the order denies the petition, it shall become effective on the date it is served. (d) The order of the superior court is immediately appealable in the court of appeal. A party aggrieved by such order, or any part thereof, may within 15 days after the service of the superior court’s order, serve and file a notice of appeal. The appeal shall have precedence in the court to which the appeal is taken and shall be determined as soon as practicable after the notice of appeal is filed. (e) (1) A court, in its discretion, may award to the prevailing party, including the department, reasonable attorney’s fees and costs, including expert witness fees, in a petition, including appeals, brought pursuant to this section. (2) Notwithstanding Section 998 of the Code of Civil Procedure, a prevailing respondent shall not be awarded fees and costs pursuant to paragraph (1) unless the court finds the petition or appeal was frivolous, unreasonable, or without merit when brought, or the petitioner continued to litigate after it clearly became so. (f) Within 15 days after the end of the compliance period specified in the order of the superior court, after the exhaustion of any challenges to the order in higher courts, the department shall in writing certify to the court either that the order has been complied with or that the respondent has failed to comply. A copy of the certified statement shall be served on the respondent by personal delivery or certified mail. After receipt of a certified statement indicating the respondent’s failure to comply with the order, the court may compel obedience to its order by contempt proceedings, and by making such additional orders as may be appropriate. Following such proceedings, the department shall, within 15 days after the respondent complies with the original order of the court, certify in writing to the court that such order has been complied with. A copy of the certified statement shall be served on the respondent by personal delivery or certified mail. (g) The period of time within which the department is directed to initiate a civil action by Section 12965 shall be extended by the length of the period between the filing of a petition under this section and either (1) the final effective date, after the exhaustion of any challenges to the original order in higher courts, of an order of the superior court denying the petition, or (2) the filing by the department of a certified statement, pursuant to subdivision (e), indicating the respondent’s compliance with the order of the superior court granting the petition in whole or in part, whichever occurs later.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 12963.7. Section 12963.7.

(a) If the department determines after investigation that the complaint is valid, the department shall immediately endeavor to eliminate the unlawful employment practice complained of by conference, conciliation, and persuasion. The staff of the department shall not disclose what has transpired in the course of any endeavors to eliminate the unlawful employment practice through conference, conciliation, and persuasion. (b) Any member of the staff of the department who discloses information in violation of the requirements of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor. Such disclosure by an employee subject to civil service shall be cause for disciplinary action under the State Civil Service Act.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 12964. Section 12964.

Any agreement entered into by conference, conciliation, persuasion, or other dispute resolution shall be reduced to writing, signed by all parties, and, where the department is a signatory, approved by the director or the authorized representative of the director. Within one year of the effective date of every agreement signed by the department, the department shall conduct a compliance review to determine whether the agreement has been fully obeyed and implemented. Whenever the department believes, on the basis of evidence presented to it, that any person is violating or about to violate any agreement, the department may bring an action in the superior court against the person to enjoin him or her from continuing or engaging in the violation, or from doing anything in furtherance of the violation. In the action an order or judgment may be entered awarding a temporary restraining order or a preliminary or final injunction as may be proper. The action may be brought in any county in which actions may be brought under subdivision (a) of Section 12965. In resolving allegedly unlawful practices through conciliation the resolutions may be in the nature of, but are not limited to, types of remedies that might be ordered after in a civil action.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 12964.5. Section 12964.5.

(a) (1) It is an unlawful employment practice for an employer, in exchange for a raise or bonus, or as a condition of employment or continued employment, to do either of the following: (A) (i) For an employer to require an employee to sign a release of a claim or right under this part. (ii) As used in this subparagraph, “release of a claim or right” includes requiring an individual to execute a statement that the individual does not possess any claim or injury against the employer or other covered entity, and includes the release of a right to file and pursue a civil action or complaint with, or otherwise notify, a state agency, other public prosecutor, law enforcement agency, or any court or other governmental entity. (B) (i) For an employer to require an employee to sign a nondisparagement agreement or other document to the extent it has the purpose or effect of denying the employee the right to disclose information about unlawful acts in the workplace. (ii) A nondisparagement or other contractual provision that restricts an employee’s ability to disclose information related to conditions in the workplace shall include, in substantial form, the following language: “Nothing in this agreement prevents you from discussing or disclosing information about unlawful acts in the workplace, such as harassment or discrimination or any other conduct that you have reason to believe is unlawful.” (2) Any agreement or document in violation of this subdivision is contrary to public policy and shall be unenforceable. (b) (1) (A) It is an unlawful employment practice for an employer or former employer to include in any agreement related to an employee’s separation from employment any provision that prohibits the disclosure of information about unlawful acts in the workplace. (B) A nondisparagement or other contractual provision that restricts an employee’s ability to disclose information related to conditions in the workplace shall include, in substantial form, the following language: “Nothing in this agreement prevents you from discussing or disclosing information about unlawful acts in the workplace, such as harassment or discrimination or any other conduct that you have reason to believe is unlawful.” (2) Any provision in violation of paragraph (1) is against public policy and shall be unenforceable. (3) This subdivision does not prohibit the inclusion of a general release or waiver of all claims in an agreement related to an employee’s separation from employment, provided that the release or waiver is otherwise lawful and valid. (4) An employer offering an employee or former employee an agreement related to that employee’s separation from employment as provided in this subdivision shall notify the employee that the employee has a right to consult an attorney regarding the agreement and shall provide the employee with a reasonable time period of not less than five business days in which to do so. An employee may sign such an agreement prior to the end of the reasonable time period as long as the employee’s decision to accept such shortening of time is knowing and voluntary and is not induced by the employer through fraud, misrepresentation, or a threat to withdraw or alter the offer prior to the expiration of the reasonable time period, or by providing different terms to employees who sign such an agreement prior to the expiration of such time period. (c) As used in this section, “information about unlawful acts in the workplace” includes, but is not limited to, information pertaining to harassment or discrimination or any other conduct that the employee has reasonable cause to believe is unlawful. (d) (1) This section does not apply to a negotiated settlement agreement to resolve an underlying claim under this part that has been filed by an employee in court, before an administrative agency, in an alternative dispute resolution forum, or through an employer’s internal complaint process. (2) As used in this section, “negotiated” means that the agreement is voluntary, deliberate, and informed, the agreement provides consideration of value to the employee, and that the employee is given notice and an opportunity to retain an attorney or is represented by an attorney. (e) This section does not prohibit the entry or enforcement of a provision in any agreement that precludes the disclosure of the amount paid in a severance agreement. (f) This section does not prohibit an employer from protecting the employer’s trade secrets, proprietary information, or confidential information that does not involve unlawful acts in the workplace.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 12965. Section 12965.

(a) (1) In the case of failure to eliminate an unlawful practice under this part through conference, conciliation, mediation, or persuasion, or in advance thereof if circumstances warrant, the director in the director’s discretion may bring a civil action in the name of the department, acting in the public interest, on behalf of the person claiming to be aggrieved. (2) Prior to filing a civil action, the department shall require all parties to participate in mandatory dispute resolution in the department’s internal dispute resolution division free of charge to the parties in an effort to resolve the dispute without litigation. (3) In a civil action, the person claiming to be aggrieved shall be the real party in interest and shall have the right to participate as a party and be represented by that person’s own counsel. (4) A civil action under this subdivision shall be brought in a county in which the department has an office, in a county in which unlawful practices are alleged to have been committed, in the county in which records relevant to the alleged unlawful practices are maintained and administered, in the county in which the person claiming to be aggrieved would have worked or would have had access to public accommodation, but for the alleged unlawful practices, in the county of the defendant’s residence or principal office, or, if the civil action includes class or group allegations on behalf of the department, in any county in the state. (5) (A) A complaint treated by the director as a group or class complaint for purposes of investigation, conciliation, mediation, or civil action pursuant to Section 12961, a civil action shall be brought, if at all, within two years after the filing of the complaint. (B) For a complaint alleging a violation of Section 51.7 of the Civil Code, a civil action shall be brought, if at all, within two years after the filing of the complaint. (C) For a complaint other than those specified in subparagraphs (A) and (B), a civil action shall be brought, if at all, within one year after the filing of a complaint. (D) The deadlines specified in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C), shall be tolled as follows: (i) During a mandatory or voluntary dispute resolution proceeding commencing on the date the department refers the case to its dispute resolution division and ending on the date the department’s dispute resolution division closes its mediation record and returns the case to the division that referred it. (ii) For the period of time specified in a written agreement between the department and a respondent that was executed before the expiration of the applicable deadline. (iii) For the period of time for which the department’s investigation is extended due to the pendency of a petition to compel as provided in subdivision (g) of Section 12963.5. (iv) During a timely appeal within the department of the closure of the complaint by the department. (b) For purposes of this section, filing a complaint means filing a verified complaint. (c) (1) (A) Except as specified in subparagraphs (B) and (C), if a civil action is not brought by the department pursuant to subdivision (a) within 150 days after the filing of a complaint, or if the department earlier determines that no civil action will be brought pursuant to subdivision (a), the department shall promptly notify, in writing, the person claiming to be aggrieved that the department shall issue, on request, the right-to-sue notice. If the person claiming to be aggrieved does not request a right-to-sue notice, the department shall issue the notice upon completion of its investigation, and not later than one year after the filing of the complaint. (B) For a complaint treated as a group or class complaint for purposes of investigation, conciliation, mediation, or civil action pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 12961, the department shall issue a right-to-sue notice upon completion of its investigation, and not later than two years after the filing of the complaint. (C) If the department determines, in its discretion, that the complaint relates in whole or in part to a complaint filed in the name of the director or a group or class complaint for purposes of investigation, conciliation, mediation, or civil action pursuant to Section 12961, the department shall issue a right-to-sue notice upon request by the person claiming to be aggrieved or, if the person claiming to be aggrieved does not request a right-to-sue notice, after the director’s complaint or group or class complaint has been fully and finally disposed of and all administrative proceedings, civil actions, appeals, or related proceedings have terminated. (D) The notices specified in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) shall indicate that the person claiming to be aggrieved may bring a civil action under this part against the person, employer, labor organization, or employment agency named in the verified complaint within one year from the date of that notice. (E) This paragraph applies only to complaints alleging unlawful employment practices under Article 1 (commencing with Section 12940) of Chapter 6. (F) The deadlines specified in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) shall be tolled as follows: (i) During a mandatory or voluntary dispute resolution proceeding commencing on the date the department refers the case to its dispute resolution division and ending on the date the department’s dispute resolution division closes its mediation record and returns the case to the division that referred it. (ii) For the period of time specified in a written agreement between the department and a respondent that was executed before the expiration of the applicable deadline. (iii) For the period of time for which the department’s investigation is extended due to the pendency of a petition to compel as provided in subdivision (g) of Section 12963.5. (iv) During a timely appeal within the department of the closure of the complaint by the department. (2) A city, county, or district attorney in a location having an enforcement unit established on or before March 1, 1991, pursuant to a local ordinance enacted for the purpose of prosecuting HIV/AIDS discrimination claims, acting on behalf of any person claiming to be aggrieved due to HIV/AIDS discrimination, may also bring a civil action under this part against the person, employer, labor organization, or employment agency named in the notice. (3) The superior courts of the State of California shall have jurisdiction of actions brought pursuant to this section, and the aggrieved person may file in these courts. An action may be brought in any county in the state in which the unlawful practice is alleged to have been committed, in the county in which the records relevant to the practice are maintained and administered, or in the county in which the aggrieved person would have worked or would have had access to the public accommodation but for the alleged unlawful practice, but if the defendant is not found within any of these counties, an action may be brought within the county of the defendant’s residence or principal office. (4) A copy of any complaint filed pursuant to this part shall be served on the principal offices of the department. The remedy for failure to send a copy of a complaint is an order to do so. (5) A civil action brought pursuant to this section shall not be filed as class actions and shall not be maintained as class actions by the person or persons claiming to be aggrieved if those persons have filed a civil class action in the federal courts alleging a comparable claim of employment discrimination against the same defendant or defendants. (6) In civil actions brought under this section, the court, in its discretion, may award to the prevailing party, including the department, reasonable attorney’s fees and costs, including expert witness fees, except that, notwithstanding Section 998 of the Code of Civil Procedure, a prevailing defendant shall not be awarded fees and costs unless the court finds the action was frivolous, unreasonable, or groundless when brought, or the plaintiff continued to litigate after it clearly became so. (d) A court may grant as relief in any action filed pursuant to subdivision (a) any relief a court is empowered to grant in a civil action brought pursuant to subdivision (c), in addition to any other relief that, in the judgment of the court, will effectuate the purpose of this part. This relief may include a requirement that the employer conduct training for all employees, supervisors, and management on the requirements of this part, the rights and remedies of those who allege a violation of this part, and the employer’s internal grievance procedures. This relief may also include any relief available under any law enforced by the department pursuant to Section 12930. In addition, in order to vindicate the purposes and policies of this part, a court may assess against the defendant, if the civil complaint or amended civil complaint so prays, a civil penalty of up to twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) to be awarded to a person denied any right provided for by Section 51.7 of the Civil Code, as an unlawful practice prohibited under this part. (e) (1) Notwithstanding subdivision (c), the one-year statute of limitations, commencing from the date of the right-to-sue notice by the department to the person claiming to be aggrieved, shall be tolled when all of the following requirements have been met: (A) A charge of discrimination or harassment is timely filed concurrently with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the department. (B) The investigation of the charge is deferred by the department to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (C) A right-to-sue notice is issued to the person claiming to be aggrieved upon deferral of the charge by the department to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (2) The time for commencing an action for which the statute of limitations is tolled under paragraph (1) expires when the federal right-to-sue period to commence a civil action expires, or one year from the date of the right-to-sue notice by the department, whichever is later. (3) This subdivision is intended to codify the holding in Downs v. Department of Water and Power of City of Los Angeles (1997) 58 Cal.App.4th 1093. (f) (1) Notwithstanding subdivision (c), the one-year statute of limitations, commencing from the date of the right-to-sue notice by the department, to the person claiming to be aggrieved, shall be tolled when all of the following requirements have been met: (A) A charge of discrimination or harassment is timely filed concurrently with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the department. (B) The investigation of the charge is deferred by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to the Civil Rights Department. (C) After investigation and determination by the department, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission agrees to perform a substantial weight review of the determination of the department or conducts its own investigation of the claim filed by the aggrieved person. (2) The time for commencing an action for which the statute of limitations is tolled under paragraph (1) shall expire when the federal right-to-sue period to commence a civil action expires, or one year from the date of the right-to-sue notice by the department, whichever is later.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 12966. Section 12966.

Where the department initiates a civil action, or is about to do so, and the party accused of engaging in unlawful practices under this part is a state contractor or is a supplier of goods and services to the state, the director shall send a written notice of the civil action and a copy of the civil complaint to the appropriate awarding agency and request a report of any action which the awarding agency takes in response to the department’s notification and filing of a civil action.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 12971. Section 12971.

If, at any time during the proceedings described in this part, after a complaint has been served on a respondent, the complaint is withdrawn by the complainant or dismissed by the department, or an investigation is terminated or closed by the department, notice of this fact shall be given to the respondent and the complainant without undue delay.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 12973. Section 12973.

Within one year of the effective date of every final order or decision issued pursuant to this part, the department shall conduct a compliance review to determine whether the order or decision has been fully obeyed and implemented.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 12974. Section 12974.

Whenever a complaint is filed with the department and the department concludes on the basis of a preliminary investigation that prompt judicial action is necessary to carry out the purposes of this part, the director or the director’s authorized representative may bring a civil action for appropriate temporary or preliminary relief pending final disposition of such complaint. Any temporary restraining order or other order granting preliminary or temporary relief shall be issued in accordance with Section 527 of the Code of Civil Procedure. An action seeking such temporary or preliminary relief may be brought in any county in which actions may be brought under paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 12965. In civil actions brought under this section, the court, in its discretion, may award to the department reasonable attorney’s fees and costs, including expert witness fees, when it is the prevailing party for the purposes of the order granting temporary or preliminary relief.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 12975. Section 12975.

Any person who shall willfully resist, prevent, impede, or interfere with any member of the department or the council or any of its agents or employees in the performance of duties pursuant to the provisions of this part relating to employment discrimination, or who shall in any manner willfully violate an order of the court relating to such matter, is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment in a county jail, not exceeding six months, or by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or both.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 12976. Section 12976.

Any person who willfully violates Section 12946 concerning recordkeeping is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment in a county jail, not exceeding six months, or by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or both.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026