Governor Newsom Signs Rubio Bill Targeting Bias in Housing Practices

SACRAMENTO, CA – Governor Gavin Newsom today signed a bill by Sen. Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) requiring real estate professionals to take implicit bias training as part of their licensing requirements.

Senate Bill 263 adds a 2-hour course on implicit bias training for real estate licenses. The bill requires that the training include actionable steps that licensees can take to recognize and address their own implicit biases and requires licensees to participate in an interactive training component where they can experience role-play situations as both a consumer and a licensee.

“Systemic racism and bias can make it even more difficult for a family trying to reach the American Dream of homeownership,” Senator Susan Rubio said. “In California, the homeownership gap for people of color is increasing and needs to be closed. As the representative of a large minority population, I want to thank the governor for signing a bill that will be a step forward in closing that gap.”

“California realtors are committed to addressing implicit bias and discrimination in housing, and Senator Rubio's bill will do just that,” said Dave Walsh, president of California Association of REALTORS. “We commend Gov. Newsom for signing this bill into law, which will help reduce persistent disparities in homeownership. Californians of all backgrounds will benefit from the essential education and training this legislation provides for our state's real estate professionals.”

Recent studies have confirmed the racial and ethnic disparity in homeownership in California. A 2020 report by the Greenlining Institute found the Black homeownership rate and Latino homeownership rate in California were far lower than the state’s overall homeownership rate. A 2018 study by the Brookings Institution found that similar homes in neighborhoods with similar amenities in California were appraised at a significantly lower value if they were located in Black-majority neighborhoods.

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Media Contact: Edward Barrera, edward.barrera@sen.ca.gov