Assemblymember Harabedian’s Bill to Count MENA Communities Clears Key Senate Committee

(SACRAMENTO, CA) – Assemblymember John Harabedian (D-Pasadena) moved AB 91 (MENA Inclusion Act) through the Senate Judiciary Committee. This measure reflects the Assemblymember’s commitment to ensuring that the historically underrepresented Middle Eastern North African (MENA) community is accurately reflected and included in policy decisions.

“Data drives policy every single day. But for several decades, California’s data has failed to reflect its true diversity, harming MENA communities by making them invisible. From ballot access to public health programs and translation services, vital decisions rely on demographic data. This bill aims to close the data gap by requiring state agencies to take meaningful steps to accurately count MENA individuals as distinct from “White” in demographic data collection,” said Assemblymember Harabedian.

 

The MENA Inclusion Act requires state agencies, boards, and commissions to include separate categories for Middle Eastern and North African groups in demographic data, disaggregating them from the “White” category. This ensures accurate representation in data that determines proper healthcare access, education resources, civil rights protections, community support services, and fair policy representation.

 

The bill will now move to the Senate Appropriations Committee for a vote in the coming weeks.