State Resources:
California Department of Fair Employment and Housing

Legal Mandate

The Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) is the largest state civil rights agency in the country. It was established by the Legislature in 1959 as the Division of Fair Employment Practices and was initially part of the Department of Industrial Relations.

In 1980 DFEH was established as an independent department charged with enforcing California’s comprehensive employment, housing, public accommodations and public service non-discrimination laws, as well as the State’s bias-related hate violence law.

DFEH’s statutory mandate is to protect the people of California from discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations pursuant to the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, Government Code section 12900, et seq, the Unruh Civil Rights Act, Civil Code section 51, et seq, and the Ralph Civil Rights Act, Civil Code section 51.7.

Recognized Protection From Discrimination or Harassment in Employment Age (40 and over) Marital Status Ancestry Medical Condition (cancer and genetic characteristics) Color National Origin Creed Race Denial of Family and Medical Care Leave Religion Denial of Pregnancy Disability Leave Sex Disability (mental and physical) including HIV and AIDS Sexual Orientation

Web Site: http://www.dfeh.ca.gov

Telephone Numbers

Employment/Public Accommodations/Hate Violence:
>> 1-800-884-1684 (Within California)
>> 1-916-227-0551 (Outside California)
Housing:
>> 1-800-233-3212 (Within California)
>> 1-510-622-2945 (Outside California)
Hate Violence:
>> 1-866-460-HELP (4357)

TTY: 1-800-700-2320 (Within California)

FAX:
Employment/Public Accommodations:
1-916-227-2859
Housing: 1-510-622-2956

LOCAL OFFICE: Los Angeles District Office
611 West Sixth Street, Suite 1500
Los Angeles, CA 90017

Contact Info:
Telephone: (213) 439-6799
Toll-free: (800) 884-1684
FAX: (213) 439-6715
TTY: (800) 700-2320