The California Legislative Black Caucus unveiled a comprehensive package of reparations proposals aimed at addressing the historical injustices faced by the descendants of enslaved African Americans. Announced during a press conference on Thursday, the initiative includes 15 bills designed to provide support in areas such as public university admissions and financial assistance for first-time homebuyers.
This legislative effort is part of a broader commitment to rectify the generational harms and discrimination experienced by these communities. In 2020, California became the first state to establish a task force dedicated to studying the legacy of slavery and proposing remedies. However, last year’s legislative session saw only a partial success, with the caucus managing to pass 10 out of the 14 prioritized bills due to budget constraints and an upcoming election.
Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City) emphasized the renewed vigor of this year’s efforts, stating, “We are picking up where we left off last year.” She called on lawmakers and Californians alike to adopt a mindset focused on repair. Among the key proposals is a constitutional amendment aimed at banning all forms of forced labor, including in prisons, which California voters rejected in a previous ballot measure. If approved by the legislature, this amendment could be presented to voters in 2026.
Wilson also introduced a bill to create a voluntary work program for inmates, allowing them to choose work assignments that would facilitate their participation in educational and rehabilitative programs.
Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles) has put forth Assembly Bill 7, which would enable California universities to consider preferential admissions for descendants of slaves. He highlighted the need to recognize not only the legacies of privilege that benefit certain groups but also the legacies of harm stemming from slavery and systemic exclusion.
Additional proposals include provisions from Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Hawthorne) to allocate funds from the Home Purchase Assistance Program specifically for first-time homebuyers who are descendants of enslaved individuals. Another bill, authored by Assemblymember LaShae Sharp-Collins (D-San Diego), aims to create a grant program to support community-driven initiatives aimed at reducing violence in neighborhoods and schools.
Senator Akilah Weber Pierson (D-La Mesa) is advocating for Senate Bill 503, which seeks to regulate the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare settings to combat racial biases and promote equitable treatment for Black Americans.
This ambitious legislative package reflects a growing recognition of the need for reparative justice and the importance of addressing historical inequities. As the caucus moves forward, it seeks to engage the public and lawmakers in a dialogue about the ongoing impact of slavery and the steps necessary to foster healing and equity in California.