Lawmakers in California have approved a bill that would require private religious universities to publicly disclose if they discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Senate Bill 1146 would require universities to notify the California Student Aid Commission that they have been granted a Title IX exemption. They would also be required to inform students and staff.

SB 1146 was authored by Senator Ricardo Lara, an openly gay Democrat from Bell Gardens.

“With SB1146, we have shed light on the appalling discriminatory practices LGBTQ students face at private religious universities in California,” said Lara. “No university should have a license to discriminate, especially those receiving state funds. This bill represents a critical first step in the ongoing efforts to protect students from discrimination for living their truths or loving openly.”

A Title IX exemption allows universities to skirt the federal law's ban on discrimination based on gender, including gender identity and not conforming to gender stereotypes.

According to Equality California, which backs the bill, such exemptions have increased from one in 2013 to over 43 nationwide today.

“Many students or employees are not aware of a particular school's policies until they are already enrolled or on the payroll,” said Equality California Executive Director Rick Zbur. “SB 1146 would expose anti-LGBT discrimination for all to see and would allow potential students or employees to protect themselves.”

The bill now heads to Governor Jerry Brown for his signature.