Committee approves repeal of longstanding race-based appointment quota for social-work board

The Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee voted to pass SB 264, a bill that removes an explicit race-based quota from the statute governing appointments to the social-work licensing board.

Sponsor Senator Missy Irvin said the change is intended to ensure the statute complies with constitutional requirements. Laura D'Agostino of the Pacific Legal Foundation testified in support, arguing that race-based quotas are unconstitutional and that the quota has blocked qualified applicants in at least one pending legal case. D'Agostino said the foundation's client was effectively precluded from service by the quota.

Some senators supported the repeal while expressing a desire to preserve diverse and representative boards; one senator urged that removing quotas should be accompanied by continued attention to representation goals. After debate, the committee voted to pass the bill as amended.

Next steps: The bill passed the committee and will proceed in the legislative process as recorded in the committee transcript. The transcript includes testimony and debate but does not list a formal roll-call vote.