CA SB477

Defines "group or class complaint" under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) to include any complaint alleging a pattern or practice of discrimination

Extends tolling of the statute of limitations for filing civil actions when a complainant appeals the Civil Rights Department's closure of their complaint, until one year after the department issues written notice that the complaint remains closed following the appeal

Adds new tolling provisions for department deadlines to bring civil actions and issue right-to-sue notices, including tolling pursuant to written agreements between complainants and the department, during pendency of petitions to compel, and during appeals of complaint closures

Requires the department to delay issuing right-to-sue notices when an individual's complaint relates to a director's complaint or group/class complaint until all related administrative proceedings, civil actions, and appeals have fully terminated

Removes geographic restrictions specifying which counties housing discrimination civil actions may be filed in, previously limited to counties where the violation occurred, records were maintained, the aggrieved party would have resided, or defendant's principal office was located