Civil Rights of Californians Impacted by Disasters

If you have been impacted by wildfires, flood, drought or other disasters, California’s civil rights laws are here to protect you from discrimination. Below is more information on your rights while seeking shelter or other assistance.

Housing

In California, emergency shelters, temporary accommodations, and other providers can’t refuse to house you or treat you differently because of who you are, including your immigration status, gender identity, disability, and other protected characteristics. You are also protected from discrimination when renting a home or apartment.

Businesses

In California, businesses must generally ensure equal access to goods and services regardless of someone’s gender identity, primary language, immigration status, race, religion, and other protected characteristics, even after a disaster. This means they cannot change how they provide services, the prices they charge, or who they allow to use their services in order to discriminate against others.

English (PDF)

Insurance

California’s fair housing laws ban homeowners’ insurance companies and other providers of housing-related services from discriminating against you because of who you are. This includes charging higher rates, refusing a claim, or other unfair treatment because of your race, immigration status, disability, or other protected characteristics.

Programs Using State Funding

In California, programs that use state funding must give all residents fair treatment and equal opportunity to use their services. This includes many resources that serve the community like state agencies and certain hospitals, welfare services, and more. You can’t be turned away or treated differently at these places because of your age, race, disability, sexual orientation, or other protected characteristics.

Discrimination Involving State Funded Programs

Employment

California’s civil rights and labor laws protect workers who need to take time off for many reasons, including disasters. You have the right to leave work or not report for your shift if your job is unsafe during an emergency situation. This also includes leaving work to pick up children from a K-12 school or find childcare. Some workers can also take time off after the death of a family member, or care for themselves or someone else facing a serious health condition after a disaster. Some of these laws are enforced by CRD and others are enforced by the Department of Industrial Relations.

English (PDF)

Department of Industrial Relations

Disability Accommodations

Conditions during natural disasters can make it hard for people with disabilities to work. You have the right to ask for reasonable accommodations for your disability. That includes changes to make work easier, or a leave of absence. Disabilities can involve mobility, medical care, mental health, and more. Your job has to accommodate you unless it causes significant difficulty or expense.

Acts of Hate

California’s civil rights laws protect everyone from hate at home, at work, and in public places. Anyone experiencing or witnessing hate can get support from the California vs Hate Resource Line and Network. Learn more about your options after experiencing or witnessing hate:

CA vs Hate
California Law Protects you from Hate Violence

Non-CRD Resources

CRD is proud to work alongside state, local, tribal, and federal partners that help respond to emergencies. Below are resources for Californians to start preparing for a disaster or begin the road to recovery.