California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Assembly Bill 91, The MENA Inclusion Act, into law, ensuring that Armenian-Americans will no longer be classified under the broad “White” racial category in state data collection and enabling their community to be accurately represented in future public reporting and policy decisions, reports the Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region (ANCA-WR), which welcomes its signing.
Authored by Assemblymember John Harabedian, Chair of the California Armenian Legislative Caucus and the only Armenian-American currently serving in the California State Legislature, AB 91 marks a historic step forward for Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) communities, including Armenian-Americans, across the state.
For decades, MENA populations have been classified under the broad “White” racial category in government data collection, obscuring their distinct identities and masking significant disparities in access to services, education, and public health. AB 91 directly addresses this gap by requiring state and local agencies, beginning January 1, 2027, to collect and publicly report disaggregated demographic data for MENA communities, including a distinct designation for Armenian-Americans.
The new law mandates that all state agencies, boards, and commissions collecting demographic data on ancestry or ethnic origin include separate reporting for the largest MENA groups in California, based on the most recent U.S. Census. Categories must be updated within 18 months of each census cycle, and public reporting must be conducted in full compliance with individual privacy protections.
“This is a major step forward in ensuring that Armenian-Americans and our broader MENA community are no longer invisible to the state of California,” said Oshin Harootoonian, Chairman of the ANCA-WR. “By being accurately counted, we are better positioned to advocate for equitable funding, resources, and services that meet the real needs of our communities. We are especially proud that this achievement comes under the leadership of Assemblymember Harabedian, whose commitment to fairness and inclusion reflects the very best of public service.”
“The passage of AB 91 is the result of years of grassroots advocacy and a deep commitment to the justice our communities deserve,” said Dr. Sophia Armen, Community Organizer with the Armenian-American Advancement Network and key partner with the ANCA-WR on census and demographic initiatives. “For too long, Armenian-Americans and other MENA communities have been statistically erased. This legislation affirms that our communities count, and that accurate data is foundational to equity in education, healthcare, and public services.”
The ANCA-WR applauds Governor Newsom for affirming the importance of this legislation and commends Assemblymember Harabedian for advancing this landmark measure in his first year in office. The signing of AB 91 underscores the impact of authentic representation and sets a precedent for other states and the federal government to follow.
For more information on the ANCA-WR’s advocacy efforts and policy priorities, please visit www.ancawr.org.
