Public employment.

The California Constitution requires Members of the Legislature, and all public officers and employees, to take and subscribe a specified oath of office. The California Constitution permits inferior officers and employees to be exempted by law from this requirement. This bill would require that a public employee or applicant seeking public employment be permitted to decline to take and subscribe the oath of office based on moral, ethical, or religious beliefs that conflict with his or her ability to take and subscribe the oath without mental reservation, if he or she is otherwise willing and able to uphold the United States Constitution and the constitution and laws of this state and to complete the duties of employment. The bill would require that person to sign a statement that he or she declines to take and subscribe the oath required pursuant to existing law, based on moral, ethical, or religious beliefs that conflict with his or her ability to take that oath, as specified, and to take and subscribe a specified alternate statement to that effect. The bill would except from these provisions a public officer, employee, or applicant for public employment who is elected or who serves at the pleasure of an elected official. The bill would also make conforming changes and make a related statement of legislative findings.