​AG Bonta joined a coalition of 14 AGs in submitting an amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit supporting a petition for rehearing en banc of a Ninth Circuit panel’s ruling that weakens a Washington State law prohibiting employment discrimination based on sexual orientation. In the brief, Attorney General Bonta and the coalition argue that the Ninth Circuit’s ruling is unsupported by legal precedent and harms states’ well-founded interests in protecting residents from employment discrimination.

“Anti-discrimination laws, like those in Washington, allow states to protect their residents from serious mental, physical, and financial harm. These laws can and have protected employees and job seekers without violating or devaluing Americans’ Constitutional right to practice religion. We will continue to uphold and safeguard legal protections against employment discrimination, both in California and nationwide.” – AG Bonta