SB185 Could See Affirmative Action Back at California Universities

Los Angeles - There's a bill on the table in California that could change state law prohibiting using affirmative action in admitting students to colleges and universities. It would effectively chip away at Proposition 209, which voters passed overwhelmingly 15 years ago.

Senate Bill 185 would allow University of California and Cal State schools to consider race, gender and economic background when making admission decisions.

That bill has already passed the Assembly's Higher Education Committee, and is expected to go to the Assembly later this month.

Senator Ed Hernandez of West Covina is promoting the bill.

Ward Connerly, a former UC regent and President of the American Civil Rights Institute, opposes it and says his organization will sue the state if the law passes and any college begins using it.

Watch the video reports in the media player.