Attorney General Xavier Becerra: North Carolina Remains on List of Restricted States

While newly passed state bill repealed controversial “bathroom bill,” North Carolina allows discrimination at the state and local level

Becerra: Discrimination is unacceptable and we intend to protect LGBT rights

SACRAMENTO- Attorney General Xavier Becerra today announced that California will continue to prohibit state-funded and state-sponsored travel and expenditures to North Carolina based on that state's discriminatory laws. 

The decision was reached following North Carolina’s enactment of House Bill 142 (H.B. 142). While this bill repealed the state's controversial “bathroom bill" (H.B. 2), H.B. 142 bans state and local entities, including universities, from prohibiting discrimination in public restrooms and changing facilities. It also prevents local jurisdictions from enacting ordinances to prohibit discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals in public accommodations or private employment. 

“California is inclusive. We take pride in protecting the rights of all our people,” said Attorney General Becerra. “Discrimination is unacceptable and we intend to protect LGBT rights. California's law was enacted to ensure that, with limited exceptions, our taxpayer resources are not spent in states that authorize discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. North Carolina's new law does not cure the infirmity of this type of discrimination.”

A.B. 1887 prohibits state-funded and state-sponsored travel to and expenditures in states with laws that discriminate against the LGBT community. The California legislation went into effect on January 1, 2017. The travel and expenditure prohibition applies to state agencies, departments, boards, authorities, and commissions, including an agency, department, board, authority, or commission of the University of California, the Board of Regents of the University of California, and the California State University.

For additional information on A.B. 1887 including the list of states and Frequently Asked Questions visit: www.oag.ca.gov/ab1887/faqs.