California § 51 - This section shall be known, and may be cited, as the Unruh Civil Rights Act. (b)
Full text of California Public Contract Code - PCC § 51 — This section shall be known, and may be cited, as the Unruh Civil Rights Act. (b), with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 51. This section shall be known, and may be cited, as the Unruh Civil Rights Act. (b)
(a) This section shall be known, and may be cited, as the Unruh Civil Rights Act. (b) All persons within the jurisdiction of this state are free and equal, and no matter what their sex, race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship, primary language, or immigration status are entitled to the full and equal accommodations, advantages, facilities, privileges, or services in all business establishments of every kind whatsoever. (c) This section shall not be construed to confer any right or privilege on a person that is conditioned or limited by law or that is applicable alike to persons of every sex, color, race, religion, ancestry, national origin, disability, medical condition, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship, primary language, or immigration status, or to persons regardless of their genetic information. (d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require any construction, alteration, repair, structural or otherwise, or modification of any sort whatsoever, beyond that construction, alteration, repair, or modification that is otherwise required by other provisions of law, to any new or existing establishment, facility, building, improvement, or any other structure, nor shall anything in this section be construed to augment, restrict, or alter in any way the authority of the State Architect to require construction, alteration, repair, or modifications that the State Architect otherwise possesses pursuant to other laws. (e) For purposes of this section: (1) âDisabilityâ means any mental or physical disability as defined in Sections 12926 and 12926.1 of the Government Code. (2) (A) âGenetic informationâ means, with respect to any individual, information about any of the following: (i) The individualâs genetic tests. (ii) The genetic tests of family members of the individual. (iii) The manifestation of a disease or disorder in family members of the individual. (B) âGenetic informationâ includes any request for, or receipt of, genetic services, or participation in clinical research that includes genetic services, by an individual or any family member of the individual. (C) âGenetic informationâ does not include information about the sex or age of any individual. (3) âMedical conditionâ has the same meaning as defined in subdivision (i) of Section 12926 of the Government Code. (4) âRaceâ is inclusive of traits associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles. âProtective hairstylesâ includes, but is not limited to, such hairstyles as braids, locs, and twists. (5) âReligionâ includes all aspects of religious belief, observance, and practice. (6) âSexâ includes, but is not limited to, pregnancy, childbirth, or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth. âSexâ also includes, but is not limited to, a personâs gender. âGenderâ means sex, and includes a personâs gender identity and gender expression. âGender expressionâ means a personâs gender-related appearance and behavior whether or not stereotypically associated with the personâs assigned sex at birth. (7) âSex, race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship, primary language, or immigration statusâ includes any of the following: (A) Any combination of those characteristics. (B) A perception that the person has any particular characteristic or characteristics within the listed categories or any combination of those characteristics. (C) A perception that the person is associated with a person who has, or is perceived to have, any particular characteristic or characteristics, or any combination of characteristics, within the listed categories. (8) âSexual orientationâ has the same meaning as defined in subdivision (s) of Section 12926 of the Government Code. (f) A violation of the right of any individual under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-336) shall also constitute a violation of this section. (g) Verification of immigration status and any discrimination based upon verified immigration status, where required by federal law, shall not constitute a violation of this section. (h) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require the provision of services or documents in a language other than English, beyond that which is otherwise required by other provisions of federal, state, or local law, including Section 1632.
Source: official California text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About California § 51
What does Public Contract Code - PCC § 51 cover?
Section 51 ("This section shall be known, and may be cited, as the Unruh Civil Rights Act. (b)") is part of the Public Contract Code - PCC, the codified statutory law of California. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite California § 51?
A common citation format is "Public Contract Code - PCC § 51" (California). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of California law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the California official source linked on this page or consult a licensed California attorney.
How does California § 51 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in California can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in California.