S-1442.2 _______________________________________________
SENATE BILL 5954
_______________________________________________
State of Washington 57th Legislature 2001 Regular Session
By Senators Shin, Roach, Oke, Costa, Patterson, Hargrove, T. Sheldon, Hochstatter, Eide and Jacobsen
Read first time 02/09/2001. Referred to Committee on State & Local Government.
AN ACT Relating to obsolete racial terminology; amending RCW 35.22.650; adding a new section to chapter 1.20 RCW; creating new sections; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that the use of the term "Oriental" when used to refer to persons of Asian descent is outdated and pejorative. There is a need to make clear that the term "Asian" is preferred terminology, and that this more modern and nonpejorative term must be used to replace outdated terminology.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 1.20 RCW to read as follows:
(1) As of July 1, 2001, all state and local government statutes, codes, rules, regulations, and other official documents are required to use the term "Asian" when referring to persons of Asian descent. The use of the term "Oriental" is prohibited.
(2) The legislature urges all state and local entities to review their statutes, codes, rules, regulations, and other official documents and revise them to omit the use of the term "Oriental" when referring to persons of Asian descent.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. All references to "Oriental medicine," and other similar terms referencing alternative medical practices, are exempt from the requirements of section 2(1) of this act until July 1, 2002. By January 1, 2002, the commission on Asian Pacific American affairs, the Washington association of acupuncturists, and other interested stakeholders must submit a report to the legislature that provides guidelines and substitute language for references to "Oriental medicine" for state and local government statutes, codes, rules, regulations, and other official documents.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. The economic assistance authority must revise WAC 175-16-030 and replace the term "Oriental" with "Asian."
Sec. 5. RCW 35.22.650 and 1975 1st ex.s. c 56 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
All contracts by and between a first class city and contractors for any public work or improvement exceeding the sum of ten thousand dollars, or fifteen thousand dollars for construction of water mains, shall contain the following clause:
"Contractor agrees
that ((he)) the contractor shall actively solicit the employment
of minority group members. Contractor further agrees that ((he)) the
contractor shall actively solicit bids for the subcontracting of goods or
services from qualified minority businesses. Contractor shall furnish evidence
of ((his)) the contractor's compliance with these requirements of
minority employment and solicitation. Contractor further agrees to consider
the grant of subcontracts to said minority bidders on the basis of
substantially equal proposals in the light most favorable to said minority
businesses. The contractor shall be required to submit evidence of compliance
with this section as part of the bid."
As used in this
section, the term "minority business" means a business at least
fifty-one percent of which is owned by minority group members. Minority group
members include, but are not limited to, blacks, women, native Americans, ((Orientals))
Asians, Eskimos, Aleuts, and Spanish Americans.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect July 1, 2001.
--- END ---