Gov. Brown Signs Bills Championed by Sikh Community

Religious headwear and grooming practices are now protected from discrimination by employers, because of a bill signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown Saturday.

Brown also signed another bill to require the state to revise its history-social science curriculum, and to include teachings on Sikhs and Korean-Americans.

“Sikh Americans are loyal citizens who have been targeted because of widespread ignorance of their religion and culture,” Brown said Saturday, according to a press release. “The bills I sign today aim to ensure that Californians learn about our Sikh citizens as well as protect all of us from job discrimination based on religious observances.”

The two bills, Assembly Bill 1964 and Senate Bill 1540, were championed by the Sikh community and .

“Both bills represent landmark achievements that will increase protections for all religious observers in the workplace and expand awareness of the 100 year history of Sikhs in California,” a press release quoted Sacramento Sikh Temple President Balbir Dhillon as saying.

Last month, Scherman held a phone bank with volunteers in support of the two bills.

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