CA AB2617

Prohibits requiring a waiver of civil rights protections under the Ralph Civil Rights Act and Tom Bane Civil Rights Act as a condition of entering a contract for goods or services, effective January 1, 2015.

Any waiver of civil rights protections must be knowing and voluntary, in writing, and expressly not made as a condition of the contract; waivers made as conditions are deemed involuntary, unconscionable, and unenforceable.

Shifts burden of proof to the person seeking to enforce a waiver to demonstrate it was knowing and voluntary and not made as a condition of the contract.

Prohibits discrimination against persons who refuse to waive their legal rights, including rights to file complaints with the Attorney General, law enforcement, Department of Fair Employment and Housing, or courts.

Applies to agreements entered into, altered, modified, renewed, or extended on or after January 1, 2015, and does not apply to waivers made after a legal claim has already arisen.