California expands hate crime law to prohibit hanging a noose in the workplace

The California Penal Code prohibits the display of certain symbols or crosses on private or school property with the intent to terrorize a person and provides for penalties of fines and imprisonment in the county jail for violators. Effective January 1, this law is amended to further prohibit a person from hanging a noose, knowing it to be a threat to life, for the purpose of terrorizing a person, at a place of employment, as well as on private property, schools or public parks, and imposes fines of up to $5,000, imprisonment in the county jail for up to one year, or both, for a first conviction, and fines of up to $15,000 and/or imprisonment of up to one year for subsequent convictions. 

Reprinted with permission. © CCH
(Submitted Aug. 17, 2009)

 

Rate this content:
 
The information contained in this document is for general, informational purposes only and is not intended to be legal advice. This information is not a substitute for the guidance of a professional and should not be relied upon in reference to any specific situation without first seeking the advice of a qualified HR professional and/or legal counsel regarding applicable federal, state or local laws. HRTools, Administaff and their respective employees make no warranties, express or implied, and make no judgments regarding the accuracy of this content and/or its applicability to a specific situation. A reference or link to another website is not an endorsement of that site or service.