Last month California signed in a bill, which should be effective 1/1/2020, that requires “all court staff who interact with the public” to complete implicit bias training “every 2 years.” What a great law! Maybe Oregon will follow?
The drafters defined implicit bias as shown below and it included bias based on mental or physical disabilities, medical condition or genetic information. The requirement for repeat implicit bias training for all court staff dealing with the public was impressive and laudable.
The bill language stated:
(1) Existing law authorizes the Judicial Council to provide by rule of court for racial, ethnic, and gender bias, and sexual harassment training and training for any other bias based on sex, race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, ethnic group identification, age, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, or sexual orientation for judges, commissioners, and referees.
This bill would authorize the Judicial Council to develop training on implicit bias with respect to these characteristics. The bill would require all court staff who interact with the public to complete 2 hours of any training developed by the Judicial Council pursuant to this authorization every 2 years. The bill would authorize the Judicial Council to adopt a rule of court, effective January 1, 2021, to implement these requirements.
Read more here:
https://www.disabilityrightsca.org/legislation/2019-legislation-affecting-persons-with-disabilities
AB 242 (Kamlager-Dove) – Courts: Attorneys: Implicit Bias: Training
Authorizes the Judicial Council to develop training on implicit bias with respect to certain characteristics. Requires all court staff who interact with the public to complete 2 hours of any training developed by the Judicial Council pursuant to this authorization every 2 years. (DRC had a support position)
Signed 10/02/2019. Eff. 01/01/2020. Chapter No. 2019-418