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Senate hears SB 437 asking CSU to develop methods to verify lineage for descendants of enslaved people; genealogists and community groups divided
Summary
SB 437 would ask the California State University to design an evidence-based method to verify whether Californians are descendants of people enslaved in the U.S.; the hearing produced sharply divided testimony.
Senate Judiciary heard SB 437, authored by Senator Weber Pearson, a bill that would direct the California State University (CSU) system to begin developing a methodology to confirm genealogical descent from persons enslaved in the United States.
The author and supporters said the task requires professional, public oversight and that placing methodology development in a state institution protects sensitive data from exploitation by private companies. Weber Pearson said placing the work in CSU "ensures expertise, integrity, accountability, and public oversight" and prevents "data from being exploited for profit or…
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