A Kick in the Teeth for Women on Mother’s Day in San Francisco
Long about thirteen years ago, there was a movement afoot in California to end “gender-based discrimination” in the pricing of services like dry cleaning and hair dos. The result was the Gender Tax Repeal Act of 1995, which was ushered into life by our very own Jackie Speier.
It made headlines like this: “His and Hers Haircuts Now One Price.”
But that was a while back. Check out this hair salon of the now:
What’s that? Mom’s got to pay 66% percent more than a man even on her special day?
Maybe. You see, the bill that ended up getting passed into law was watered down a little bit. So now Californians have to wonder about whether there’s a rule about gender-based pricing or not.
(And sometimes it goes the other way and men have to pay more for a pedicure. Can you imagine!)
The resulting ambiguity leads some women to ask for a man’s haircut in order to save money.
Well that’s it! Just tell mom to ask for a man’s haircut and her wallet will get as fat as a Mission burrito.
Or, you can tell her to sue, sue, sue under the act and then she’ll really be raking in the dough.
Either way.
Brush up in the law, after the jump.
51.6. (a) This section shall be known, and may be cited, as the
Gender Tax Repeal Act of 1995.
(b) No business establishment of any kind whatsoever may
discriminate, with respect to the price charged for services of
similar or like kind, against a person because of the person’s
gender.
(c) Nothing in subdivision (b) prohibits price differences based
specifically upon the amount of time, difficulty, or cost of
providing the services.
(d) Except as provided in subdivision (f), the remedies for a
violation of this section are the remedies provided in subdivision
(a) of Section 52. However, an action under this section is
independent of any other remedy or procedure that may be available to
an aggrieved party.
(e) This act does not alter or affect the provisions of the Health
and Safety Code, the Insurance Code, or other laws that govern
health care service plan or insurer underwriting or rating practices.
(f) (1) The following business establishments shall clearly and
conspicuously disclose to the customer in writing the pricing for
each standard service provided:
(A) Tailors or businesses providing aftermarket clothing
alterations.
(B) Barbers or hair salons.
(C) Dry cleaners and laundries providing services to individuals.
(2) The price list shall be posted in an area conspicuous to
customers. Posted price lists shall be in no less than 14-point
boldface type and clearly and completely display pricing for every
standard service offered by the business under paragraph (1).
(3) The business establishment shall provide the customer with a
complete written price list upon request.
(4) The business establishment shall display in a conspicuous
place at least one clearly visible sign, printed in no less than
24-point boldface type, which reads: “CALIFORNIA LAW PROHIBITS ANY
BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENT FROM DISCRIMINATING, WITH RESPECT TO THE PRICE
CHARGED FOR SERVICES OF SIMILAR OR LIKE KIND, AGAINST A PERSON
BECAUSE OF THE PERSON’S GENDER. A COMPLETE PRICE LIST IS AVAILABLE
UPON REQUEST.”
(5) A business establishment that fails to correct a violation of
this subdivision within 30 days of receiving written notice of the
violation is liable for a civil penalty of one thousand dollars
($1,000).
(6) For the purposes of this subdivision, “standard service” means
the 15 most frequently requested services provided by the business.