Assembly Approves Bill Banning Price Bias by Sex : Discrimination: After jousting and some joking, the measure is sent to the Senate.

After a debate that was both serious and humorous, the Assembly on Thursday passed legislation prohibiting merchants from charging more money for goods or services based solely on a person’s sex.

The measure, AB 2418 by Assemblywoman Jackie Speier (D-Burlingame), was approved on a 44-31 vote and moves to the Senate, where it faces an uncertain fate.

Speier said the new law is needed because research shows that women often are charged more than men for items such as dry-cleaning, laundry, haircuts, clothes and automobiles. “All this bill does is say if you provide the same service, that you charge the same price,” she said.

An opponent, Assemblyman Bernie Richter (R-Chico), who owns a video rental store, replied, “If you don’t like the price, vote with your feet and go elsewhere. The fact is, the most democratic system is the marketplace.”

But Assemblywoman Julie Bornstein (D-Palm Desert) disagreed, saying, “A biological difference does not justify a higher price. When the marketplace fails to act responsibly, government must intervene.” The bill provides for civil lawsuits to recover damages from merchants who practice gender-based price discrimination.

According to the Assembly Office of Research survey, California women on average pay $5 more for a haircut and $1.71 more to have a shirt laundered than men.

On the Assembly floor, Speier used both white shirts and wigs as props to make her point, which amused some of her colleagues but not others.

At one point in the debate, Assemblyman Stan Statham (R-Oak Run) asked Assembly Speaker Willie Brown (D-San Francisco), “How much do you pay for a haircut?”

The Speaker, who is balding and has gray-flecked black hair on the sides, replied, “Whenever I am in a position to get a haircut, it is a celebration. Clearly, I pay more than it is worth.”

This exchange prompted Assemblyman Curt Pringle (R-Garden Grove), who used to own several cleaning businesses, to complain that the debate was “somewhat disgusting.” Pringle said opinions were being offered by people “who don’t own a business and probably never will” or realize that some jobs require specialized equipment and handling.