SB 899 (Hueso) To End Gender Bias In Prices Passes Senate Judiciary Committee

[CFC press release:] SB 899 (Hueso), the bill sponsored by Consumer Federation of California (CFC) to end gender-based discrimination in retail pricing in California, passed in the Senate Judiciary Committee today by a vote of 5-1.

All Democrats were in favor, including Chair Hannah-Beth Jackson, D-Santa Barbara, and Senators Robert Hertzberg, D-Van Nuys; Mark Leno, D-San Francisco; William Monning, D-Carmel; and Bob Wieckowski, D-Fremont. Senator John Moorlach, R-Costa Mesa, voted No. Senator Joel Anderson, R-Alpine, was absent.

The need for SB 899 was documented most recently by a December 2015 study, “From Cradle to Cane: The Cost of Being a Female Consumer,” published by the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs.

San Diego-area Senator Ben Hueso’s bill now moves to the Senate Floor.

SB 899 is co-authored by Senator Lorena Gonzalez, D-San Diego, and supported by the following organizations in addition to CFC (partial list):

  • California NOW
  • California Public Interest Research Group
  • California Assn. of Retired Americans
  • Equal Rights Advocates
  • Mujeres Unidas y Activas
  • Older Women’s League
  • Women’s Foundation of California