Karens Beware – Calling 911 could cost you in California and San Francisco if that call has a discriminatory basis under proposed legislation being introduced today in San Francisco and in pending statewide legislation in Sacramento. 1/x

The Caution Against Racially Exploitative Non-Emergency, or Caren, Act in San Francisco comes amid increasing racial profiling and discriminatory instances recorded on cell phones and posted on social media, San Francisco Supervisor Shamann Walton said. 2/x

The San Francisco bill contains much of the same proposals as in Assembly Bill 1550. Both would allow criminal and civil lawsuits against someone, motivated by another’s protected status, who knowingly calls 911 with the intent to infringe on another’s rights. 3/x

“We’re not seeking to have more lawsuits but we are seeking to end this action, this conduct that we’ve seen far too much of, that hurts disadvantaged communities, that hurts people of color, that hurts people based on their protected class,” said Assemblymember Rob Bonta. 4/x.

The San Francisco legislation would be heard in committee and by the full board in August. AB 1550 is pending in the state Senate Public Safety Committee. The Legislature's on break until at least July 13. Bonta says the bill has good prospects. 5/5