ARTICLE 10. Human Relations [50260. - 50265.]

Cal. Government Code - GOV 10.

in effect

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 50260. Section 50260.

The purpose of this article is to promote the establishment in counties and cities and counties throughout the state of commissions designed to foster peaceful relations in the interest of preserving the public peace among residents of different races, religions, national origins, and the other characteristics listed or defined in Section 11135.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 50261. Section 50261.

It is hereby found that the promotion of positive human relations for the purpose of insuring public peace, health, safety, and general welfare of all the people of this State is a principal governmental concern and responsibility, and counties and cities and counties are hereby authorized to expend public funds to attain these objectives.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 50262. Section 50262.

The governing body of any city or county may, by ordinance, create a commission on human relations. The governing body shall determine the number of members of the commission, the terms of the members, the manner of appointment of the members, the selection of a chairperson and the compensation, if any, to be paid to them. In selecting the membership of the commission, the governing body shall take into consideration, among other things, people from groups of various race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or civic interest, and people from other groups subject to prejudice and discrimination. The establishment of a commission at one level of local government shall not preclude establishment of a commission at other levels of local government.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 50263. Section 50263.

The governing body may assign personnel to the commission or permit the commission to employ an executive director, a secretary, and such attorneys, experts and other employees as may be necessary, within the amount made available by the local governing body and to accept and expend funds from private, as well as public, sources. Each city and county is hereby authorized and empowered to make such appropriation for such expenses and for the compensation, if any, to be paid to the members of the commission.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 50264. Section 50264.

It shall be the responsibility of the commission: (a) To foster mutual respect and understanding among all people, including people subject to prejudice and discrimination due to race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, civic interest, or any other factors. (b) To make any studies in any field of human relationship in the community as in the judgment of the commission will aid in effectuating its general purposes. (c) To inquire into incidents of tension and conflict among or between people, including people subject to prejudice and discrimination due to race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, civic interest, or any other factors, and to take action by means of conciliation, conference, and persuasion to alleviate those tensions and conflict. (d) To conduct and recommend any educational programs as, in the judgment of the commission, will increase good will among inhabitants of the community and open new opportunities into all phases of community life for all inhabitants.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 50265. Section 50265.

A commission on human relations created under the provisions of Section 50262 shall discharge the following obligations: (a) To hold conferences, and other public meetings, in the interest of the constructive resolution of tensions, prejudice, and discrimination among or between groups of people, including people subject to prejudice and discrimination due to race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, civic interest, or any other factors. (b) To issue any publications and reports of investigation as in its judgment will tend to effectuate the purposes of this article. (c) To enlist the cooperation and participation of a variety of people, including people subject to prejudice and discrimination due to race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, civic interest, or any other factors, industry and labor organizations, media or mass communication, fraternal and benevolent associations, and other groups in an educational campaign devoted to fostering among the diverse groups of the community mutual esteem, justice and equity. (d) To encourage and stimulate agencies under the jurisdiction of the local governing body that created the commission to take any action as will fulfill the purposes of this article. (e) To submit an annual report to the governing body.

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