SB 189 Summary

• Renames the Department of Fair Employment and Housing to the Civil Rights Department and its council to the Civil Rights Council, with conforming changes throughout state law.

• Establishes the Seismic Retrofitting Program for Soft Story Multifamily Housing with $250 million in funding to provide financial assistance to owners of earthquake-at-risk multifamily housing for seismic retrofitting.

• Creates an Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications within the Office of Planning and Research to coordinate statewide public awareness and community outreach campaigns, and transfers COVID-19 vaccine education duties from the State Department of Public Health to this new office.

• Increases California Victim Compensation Board awards: relocation assistance to $3,418, funeral/burial expenses to $12,818, and crime scene cleanup to $1,709.

• Modifies state governance procedures including allowing electronic recording of proceedings when stenographic reporters are unavailable, updating tax appeals panel member qualifications, and removing duplicate copy requirements for administrative regulations.