Each year the Commission is charged with setting policy for Commission action and selecting priority issues for its public education and legislative program activities. Since 1965, the Commission has examined and supported public policy development in many areas of concern to California women and their families–civil rights; sex equity in education; discrimination in employment, insurance, and credit; sexual harassment; domestic violence and sexual assault, access to health care; reproductive freedom; child and other dependent care; pay inequities and comparable worth; legal rights of women in marriage and divorce; social security and pensions.

• Current Commission priorities include "Issues of the Underserved" as a top priority with specific emphasis on victims of human trafficking.

• Other key issues which the Commission will continue to examine include: Equity (Civil Rights, Equal Access to Education & Employment Opportunities) Economic Autonomy (Pay Equity, Family Law, Health Care and the Preservation of Reproductive Freedom, Child & Other Dependent Care, Protection and Support for Victims of Violence, Welfare Reform).