CA AB1186

Requires all state agencies collecting demographic data on race and ethnicity to use seven minimum categories (American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, Middle Eastern/North African, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, and White) plus the top nine largest detailed subcategories within each, with compliance deadline of January 1, 2029

Mandates write-in options for respondents who don't identify with listed categories and within each category for additional self-identification

Creates the position of Chief Statistician of California within the Department of Finance's Demographic Research Unit to standardize demographic data collection across all state agencies and ensure data integrity and confidentiality

Requires annual reports to the Legislature beginning January 1, 2027, detailing compliance with data collection requirements, forms used, and technical assistance efforts

Prohibits state agencies from disclosing personally identifying information to federal agencies unless expressly required by federal law, and exempts data collections only when the administrative burden demonstrably outweighs the public benefit