Bill that would have restricted criminal history screening blocked in committee

A measure that would have significantly restricted housing providers' ability to screen tenants or employees based on criminal history has been held in the Legislature, ending its prospects for 2026.

The Assembly Appropriations Committee placed AB 2064 by Assemblymember LaShae Sharp-Collins, D-San Diego, on its suspense file, meaning it will not advance this year.

The bill would have added "criminal history" as a protected characteristic under both the Unruh Civil Rights Act and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act. If signed into law, it could have exposed housing providers to legal claims even if they did not screen for criminal history but maintained policies that had a discriminatory effect on applicants with a criminal history. Examples include requiring a certain credit score, requiring government-issued photo identification, or refusing to accept a guarantor.

The bill cleared the Assembly Judiciary Committee 7-3 on April 15 before stalling in the Appropriations Committee.