{"code":"CIV","codeName":"Civil Code","section":"53.7","citation":"Civ. Code, § 53.7","status":"in-force","lawOn":"2026-09-28","headings":[{"name":"DIVISION 1. PERSONS [38. - 86.]","url":"https://blackletter.si/civil-code/division-1"},{"name":"PART 2. PERSONAL RIGHTS [43. - 53.7.]","url":"https://blackletter.si/civil-code/division-1/part-2"}],"history":"Added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 912, Sec. 2.   (AB 2646)   Effective January 1, 2015.","effective":"2015-01-01","html":"<p>(a) A statute, ordinance, or other state or local rule, regulation, or enactment shall not deny a minority group political structure equal protection of the law by altering, restructuring, or reordering the policy decisionmaking process in a manner that burdens the ability of members of the minority group to effect the enactment of future legislation, solely with respect to a matter that inures primarily to the benefit of, or is primarily of interest to, one or more minority groups.</p><p>(b) (1) A member of a minority group, as defined in paragraph (2), may bring a civil action challenging the validity of a statute, ordinance, or other state or local rule, regulation, or enactment, pursuant to subdivision (a).</p><p>(2) For purposes of this section, “minority group” means a group of persons who share in common any race, ethnicity, nationality, or sexual orientation.</p><p>(c) A statute, ordinance, or other state or local rule, regulation, or enactment shall be determined valid in an action brought pursuant to this section, only upon a showing by the government that the burden imposed by the statute, ordinance, or other state or local rule, regulation, or enactment satisfies both of the following criteria:</p><p>(1) The burden is necessary to serve a compelling government interest.</p><p>(2) The burden is no greater than necessary to serve the compelling government interest.</p>","text":"(a) A statute, ordinance, or other state or local rule, regulation, or enactment shall not deny a minority group political structure equal protection of the law by altering, restructuring, or reordering the policy decisionmaking process in a manner that burdens the ability of members of the minority group to effect the enactment of future legislation, solely with respect to a matter that inures primarily to the benefit of, or is primarily of interest to, one or more minority groups. (b) (1) A member of a minority group, as defined in paragraph (2), may bring a civil action challenging the validity of a statute, ordinance, or other state or local rule, regulation, or enactment, pursuant to subdivision (a). (2) For purposes of this section, “minority group” means a group of persons who share in common any race, ethnicity, nationality, or sexual orientation. (c) A statute, ordinance, or other state or local rule, regulation, or enactment shall be determined valid in an action brought pursuant to this section, only upon a showing by the government that the burden imposed by the statute, ordinance, or other state or local rule, regulation, or enactment satisfies both of the following criteria: (1) The burden is necessary to serve a compelling government interest. (2) The burden is no greater than necessary to serve the compelling government interest.","otherVersions":[],"url":"https://blackletter.si/civil-code/personal-rights-53-7","source":"California Legislative Information bulk export (pubinfo)"}