(a) The Legislature finds and declares that it is the right of every person regardless of actual or perceived disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or association with a person or group with these actual or perceived characteristics, to be secure and protected from fear, intimidation, and physical harm caused by the activities of violent groups and individuals. It is not the intent of this chapter to interfere with the exercise of rights protected by the Constitution of the United States. The Legislature recognizes the constitutional right of every citizen to harbor and express beliefs on any subject whatsoever and to associate with others who share similar beliefs. The Legislature further finds however, that the advocacy of unlawful violent acts by groups against other persons or groups under circumstances where death or great bodily injury is likely to result is not constitutionally protected, poses a threat to public order and safety, and should be subject to criminal and civil sanctions.

(b) For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:

(1) “Association with a person or group with these actual or perceived characteristics” includes advocacy for, identification with, or being on the ground owned or rented by, or adjacent to, any of the following: a community center, educational facility, family, individual, office, meeting hall, place of worship, private institution, public agency, library, or other entity, group, or person that has, or is identified with people who have, one or more of those characteristics listed in the definition of “hate crime” under paragraphs (1) to (6), inclusive, of subdivision (a) of Section 422.55.

(2) “Disability” includes mental disability and physical disability as defined in Section 12926 of the Government Code.

(3) “Gender” means sex, and includes a person’s gender identity and gender expression. “Gender expression” means a person’s gender-related appearance and behavior whether or not stereotypically associated with the person’s assigned sex at birth.

(4) “Nationality” includes citizenship, country of origin, and national origin.

(5) “Race or ethnicity” includes ancestry, color, and ethnic background.

(6) “Religion” includes all aspects of religious belief, observance, and practice and includes agnosticism and atheism.

(7) “Sexual orientation” means heterosexuality, homosexuality, or bisexuality.

(Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 719, Sec. 34. (AB 887) Effective January 1, 2012.)