The Legislature hereby declares that it is contrary to the interest of this state and of the people of the state for any governing board or any person charged by the governing board of any school district with the responsibility of interviewing and recommending persons for employment in positions requiring certification, to fail or refuse to interview or recommend a person applying for employment in a position requiring certification on any basis listed in subdivision (a) of Section 12940 of the Government Code, as those bases are defined in Sections 12926 and 12926.1 of the Government Code, except as otherwise provided in this code and in Section 12940 of the Government Code.