Governor Newsom Signs Assemblymember Harabedian’s AB-91 Into Law
October 5, 2025Los Angeles, CA – The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region (ANCA-WR) welcomes the signing of Assembly Bill 91, The MENA Inclusion Act, by California Governor Gavin Newsom. Authored by Assemblymember John Harabedian, Chair of the California Armenian Legislative Caucus and the only Armenian-American currently serving in the California State Legislature, AB 91 marks a historic step forward for Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) communities, including Armenian Americans, across the state.
Assemblymember Harabedian represents California’s 41st Assembly District, a large and diverse district anchored by Pasadena and encompassing a large portion of the San Gabriel Mountains and the foothill communities, with a relatively sizeable Armenian-American population.
For decades, MENA populations have been classified under the broad “White” racial category in government data collection, obscuring their distinct identities and masking significant disparities in access to services, education, and public health. AB 91 directly addresses this gap by requiring state and local agencies, beginning January 1, 2027, to collect and publicly report disaggregated demographic data for MENA communities, including a distinct designation for Armenian-Americans.
The legislation mandates that all state agencies, boards, and commissions collecting demographic data on ancestry or ethnic origin include separate reporting for the largest MENA groups in California, beginning with those identified in the most recent U.S. Census. Categories must be updated within 18 months of each census cycle, and public reporting must be conducted with full respect for individual privacy protections.
“This is a major step forward in ensuring that Armenian-Americans and our broader MENA community are no longer invisible to the state of California,” said Oshin Harootoonian, Chairman of the ANCA-WR. “By being accurately counted, we are better positioned to advocate for equitable funding, resources, and services that meet the real needs of our communities. We are especially proud that this achievement comes under the leadership of Assemblymember Harabedian, whose commitment to fairness and inclusion reflects the very best of public service.”
“The passage of AB 91 is the result of years of grassroots advocacy and a deep commitment to the justice our communities deserve,” said Dr. Sophia Armen, Community Organizer with the Armenian-American Advancement Network and key partner with the ANCA-WR on census and demographic initiatives. “For too long, Armenian-Americans and other MENA communities have been statistically erased. This legislation affirms that our communities count, and that accurate data is foundational to equity in education, healthcare, and public services.”
The ANCA-WR applauds Governor Newsom for affirming the importance of this legislation and commends Assemblymember Harabedian for advancing this landmark measure in his first year in office. The signing of AB 91 underscores the impact of authentic representation and sets a precedent for other states and the federal government to follow.
For more information on the ANCA-WR’s advocacy efforts and policy priorities, please visit www.ancawr.org.
