AB 342: Architects and real estate appraisers: applicants and licensees: demographic information.

Existing law, the Architects Practice Act, establishes the California Architects Board in the Department of Consumer Affairs for the licensure and regulation of persons engaged in the practice of architecture. Existing law, the Real Estate Appraisers Licensing and Certification Law, establishes the Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers in the Department of Consumer Affairs to license and regulate real estate appraisers.

This bill would authorize the California Architects Board and the Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers to request that a licensee identify their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, or gender identity when an initial license is issued or at the time of license renewal. The bill would require the board and the bureau to maintain the confidentiality of the information and would prohibit the board and the bureau from requiring a licensee to provide the information as a condition of licensure or license renewal. The bill would authorize the board and the bureau to publish the aggregate demographic data they collect on their internet websites. The bill, beginning January 1, 2025, would require the board and the bureau to submit the aggregate demographic data they collect to the department and would require the department to post the information on the departments internet website.

Existing constitutional provisions require that a statute that limits the right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies be adopted with findings demonstrating the interest protected by the limitation and the need for protecting that interest.

This bill would make legislative findings to that effect.