S-3071.1  _______________________________________________

 

                         SENATE BILL 6238

          _______________________________________________

 

State of Washington   57th Legislature        2002 Regular Session

 

By Senators Shin, McAuliffe, Rasmussen, Franklin, T. Sheldon, Spanel, Kohl‑Welles, B. Sheldon, Fairley, Snyder, Eide, Thibaudeau, Costa, Prentice, Kastama and Gardner

 

Read first time 01/14/2002.  Referred to Committee on State & Local Government.

Updating obsolete language.


    AN ACT Relating to obsolete racial terminology; amending RCW 35.22.650; adding a new section to chapter 1.20 RCW; creating new sections; and providing an effective date.

 

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  The legislature finds that the use of the term "Oriental" when used to refer to persons of Asian descent is outdated and pejorative.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the term "Asian" is preferred terminology, and that this more modern and nonpejorative term must be used to replace outdated terminology.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, 2002, 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.  The economic assistance authority must revise WAC 175-16-030 and replace the term "Oriental" with "Asian."

 

    Sec. 4.  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. 5.  This act takes effect July 1, 2002.

 


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