WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SB 1387

State agencies: collection and reporting of demographic data: Jewish identity.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Ben Allen and 4 co-sponsors

The bill adds Jewish identity as an ethnicity category in state data collection and reporting, with public dashboards and privacy protections.

From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (June 23). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
#jewishidentity #stateagencies #collectionandreportingofdemographicdata
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 1387

Summary of SB 1387 (2025-2026, California)

Proposed by Senator Stern with coauthors/consponsors: Lowenthal, Allen, Berman, and others

Date introduced: February 20, 2026

Status note: As of action history, the bill has advanced from committee with a Do Pass recommendation and was re-referred to the Judiciary Committee; hearings scheduled/occurred in April 2026.

Purpose and intent
- The bill broadens California’s demographic data collection by explicitly recognizing Jewish identity as a distinct ethnicity category for the purposes of state agency reporting.
- It aims to improve transparency and public availability of demographic data while maintaining privacy protections for individuals.

Key provisions and changes

1) Definitions and policy (Education Code)
- Adds “Jewish identity” to the definition of “ethnicity” in Section 212.1 of the Education Code.
- This codifies Jewish identity as a recognized ethnic designation within state policy on race and ethnicity.

2) Government Code data collection and reporting (new Section 8310.2)
- Requires any state agency that directly or by contract collects demographic data on ancestry or ethnic origin to:
- Use a separate collection category and tabulation for Jewish ancestry or ethnicity in forms that ask respondents to designate race/ethnicity.
- Include the Jewish-category data in every demographic report on ancestry/ethnic origins published on or after January 1, 2027.
- Make the aggregated Jewish-identity data public (consistent with other demographic data disclosures), excluding personal identifying information.

3) Penal Code amendments (self-identification by the Department)
- Expands the list of races/ethnic origins for voluntary self-identification by inmates/admissions and those in custody/released/paroled to include “Jewish.”
- Requires monthly demographic reports disaggregated by the same categories used for voluntary self-identification.
- Beginning January 1, 2025, the data (except for personally identifying information) must be publicly available on the department’s Offender Data Points dashboard.
- Applies a “fewer than 50” masking rule where counts are under 50 to protect privacy.

4) Unemployment Insurance Code amendments (benefit claimants)
- Adds Jewish ancestry/ethnicity to the demographic data collected for disability and family temporary disability insurance benefits.
- Requires implementation by July 1, 2026.
- Data must follow federal standards (OMB categories) and must report subgroup data to reflect detailed subcategories where applicable (including subgroups within Hispanic/Latino and Asian/Pacific Islander populations).
- Requires a public-facing dashboard with disaggregated data updated at least quarterly, and benchmarking against population estimates.

5) Privacy and open data considerations
- The bill explicitly notes that the data (aside from personal identifying information) may be disclosed publicly, subject to state and federal law.
- The Legislature provides findings justifying limited public access to protected information while promoting useful demographic data.

Impact and who is affected

  • State agencies and contractors that collect demographic data on race/ethnicity/ancestry: Must include a Jewish-identity category in data collection and reporting beginning January 1, 2027.
  • Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation: Adds Jewish as a self-identification option; required public dashboards and monthly reports.
  • Employment Development Department (unemployment/ disability benefits programs): Must collect Jewish ancestry/ethnicity data in addition to existing categories; provide quarterly public dashboards and benchmarks; comply by July 1, 2026.
  • General public and researchers: Enhanced access to aggregated demographic data on Jewish identity, subject to privacy protections.

Procedural/timelines

  • January 1, 2027: Required inclusion of Jewish ethnicity data in all relevant demographic reports published by state agencies.
  • January 1, 2025: Public availability of offender demographic data (with Jewish identity included) on the Offender Data Points dashboard, where counts are 50 or greater.
  • July 1, 2026: EDD must implement Jewish ancestry data collection and related dashboards for disability benefits programs.
  • Ongoing: Agencies must maintain and update public dashboards at least quarterly, and adjust standards as federal race/ethnicity categorizations evolve.

Notes

  • The bill includes legislative findings on privacy limitations and public-interest balancing.
  • The bill is designed to align with existing reporting structures while adding Jewish identity as a recognized ethnicity category across multiple state data collection programs.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.