Article By Mediator/Arbitrator Paul Dubow Anticipates Arbitration Issues Arising From California AB 2617 And Proposes Solutions.
Paul J. Dubow’s article, “ADR Update: Dealing with AB 2617”, appearing in California Litigation, volume 28, No. 1, 2015, anticipates FAA preemption issues arising from AB 2617, passed by the California Legislature in 2014, and amending Civil Code sections 51.7, 52, and 52.1.
By way of background, The Ralph Civil Rights Act of 1976, Civil Code section 51.7, prohibits violence or threats of violence based on an individual’s race, color, religion, ancestry, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or position in a labor dispute. Civil Code section 52.1, part of the Tom Bane Civil Rights Act of 1987, provides plaintiffs may sue those interfering by “threats, intimidation or coercion” with the plaintiff’s exercise or enjoyment of any state or federal constitutional or legal right.
AB 2617 declares its legislative intent: “It is the purpose of this act to ensure that a contract to waive any of the rights, penalties, remedies, forums, or procedures under the Ralph Civil Rights Act or the Tom Bane Civil Rights Act, including any provision that has the effect of limiting the full application or enforcement of any right, remedy, forum, or procedure available under the Ralph Civil Rights Act or the Tom Bane Civil Rights Act, is a matter of voluntary consent, not coercion.” (italics added for emphasis).
Dubow anticipates that AB 2617’s assurance that any contract to waive rights under sections 51.7 and 52.1 must be a matter of voluntary consent will spawn disputes over arbitrability. While at first blush, AB 2617 is silent about arbitration, Dubow points out that the legislative history “makes clear that the bill was directed at arbitration provisions” – raising the specter of Federal Arbitration Act preemption. Thus, to the extent that contracts for goods and services will now contain waivers of the right to sue in court under sections 51.7, and 52.1, and will contain provisions for binding arbitration, issues will invariably arise as to whether the waivers are involuntary and unenforceable under AB 2617, or enforceable under the FAA, which will preempt state law where interstate commerce is involved.
Without arguing for or against preemption, Dubow offers drafting solutions for those who want to draft an arbitration waiver that will stick. Those suggestions include: (1) provide that arbitration is to be conducted under the FAA; (2) state that the court may not refuse to enforce the arbitration agreement and may not stay arbitration under Cal. Code of Civ. Proc., section 1281.2; (3) make the arbitration provisions prominent; (4) explain the consequences – e.g., that a jury trial is waived; (5) get the provision initialed; (6) include a prominent opt-out provision; (7) draft a fair agreement.
Dubow’s tips for drafting enforceable arbitration provisions are generally useful advice for employer-employee and consumer contract situations.
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