California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Assembly Bill 715 into law. This legislation establishes a state Office for Civil Rights. The new office aims to combat antisemitism and other forms of discrimination within California's public school system. This move comes after significant debate and concerns about bias in ethnic studies curricula.
Key Takeaways
- Governor Newsom signed AB 715, creating a state Office for Civil Rights.
- The office will address antisemitism, religious, racial, gender, and LGBTQ+ discrimination in schools.
- The bill evolved from an initial focus on antisemitism to a broader anti-discrimination scope.
- Teacher unions and civil liberties groups raised concerns about potential limits on classroom discussion.
- Supporters emphasize the need to protect students from rising hate incidents.
New State Office to Combat Discrimination
The newly established Office for Civil Rights will operate under the governor's cabinet. Its mission includes monitoring discrimination, assisting schools, and developing educational materials. This office will serve as a central point for complaints and questions regarding discrimination in California schools. It will also help school districts and teachers comply with existing state anti-discrimination laws.
The law mandates specialized coordinators within the office. There will be dedicated personnel for antisemitism, religious discrimination, race and ethnicity discrimination, gender discrimination, and LGBTQ+ discrimination. This structure aims to provide focused attention on specific forms of prejudice and harassment that students may face.
Fact: AB 715 and SB 48
Assembly Bill 715 was paired with Senate Bill 48. This combination expanded the legislation's scope beyond its initial focus on antisemitism. The change responded to feedback questioning why the original bill only addressed discrimination against Jewish individuals.
Origins in Ethnic Studies Debate
Assembly Bill 715 emerged from dissatisfaction with how ethnic studies courses were taught in some California classrooms. A coalition of Jewish groups voiced concerns that certain ethnic studies lessons improperly focused on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. They alleged that these lessons showed bias against Jewish people. Instructors who include the conflict in their syllabi deny these allegations of bias.
"California is taking action to confront hate in all its forms," Governor Newsom stated. "At a time when antisemitism and bigotry are rising nationwide and globally, these laws make clear: Our schools must be places of learning, not hate."
State Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay), a co-author of the bill, called the legislation a "historic first." She highlighted that it prioritizes the well-being of children across California. Many students shared personal stories of negative experiences in schools, underscoring the perceived need for such protections.
Concerns from Opponents
The bill faced strong opposition from various groups. Teacher unions, faculty organizations, Muslim associations, and liberal advocacy groups expressed concerns. They worried the new law could suppress discussion of current events, particularly those related to the Middle East. These groups feared a "chilling effect" on constitutionally protected speech by both educators and students.
Context: Rising Antisemitism
Antisemitic incidents saw a significant increase following the Israel-Hamas war, which began with a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. This attack killed approximately 1,200 people. Israel's ongoing campaign against Hamas has resulted in an estimated Palestinian death toll of over 67,000, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.
During a recent news conference supporting the bill, a Jewish student named Ella shared her experience at a public middle school. "After Oct. 7, everything changed," she said. "People who I thought were my friends turned on me. They called me the Jew. They told me that my family is living on stolen land, and yelled at me that I was a murderer and a terrorist. They even started to chase me, and I had to run away for my own safety just because I’m Jewish and I speak Hebrew. I didn’t deserve any of this." Ella also reported that some staff members did not offer support and instead expressed biased views.
Student Safety and Respect
Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Los Angeles), another bill co-author, emphasized that "every student deserves to be safe, valued, and respected," regardless of their beliefs or identity.
Legislative Process and Debate
The final version of the bill, after significant amendments, received strong support in the Legislature. The state Assembly voted 71-0, with 9 abstentions. The state Senate vote was 35-0, with 5 abstentions. This broad consensus, however, did not reflect the intense and prolonged debate that preceded it. The original legislation specifically targeted ethnic studies. It later expanded to address antisemitism more broadly, and then discrimination in general.
Organizations like ACLU California Action and the California Teachers Association were prominent among the critics. Pro-Palestinian and Muslim groups, a large number of ethnic studies teachers, and some Jewish groups critical of the Israeli government also opposed the bill. The California Teachers Association acknowledged condemning antisemitism but warned against weaponizing public education. They stated that AB 715 could arm "ill-intentioned people" to suppress legitimate discussions.
The timing of the bill coincided with actions by the Trump administration to combat antisemitism and suppress pro-Palestinian activism. This led to an association between AB 715 and these federal actions in public discourse. State Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), a leading bill supporter, strongly rejected any such linkage. He called it a "false and extremely dangerous narrative."
"It is an effort to basically say that if you are claiming antisemitism by anyone other than right-wing extremists, you’re somehow aligning yourself with Donald Trump. That is deeply, deeply offensive, and it is a lie," Senator Wiener asserted in an August news conference.
Ethnic Studies and Future Concerns
Despite its broader scope, the bill retains mechanisms to address issues related to ethnic studies instruction. It focuses on ensuring anti-discriminatory course materials and teacher training. Formal complaints will be investigated using existing procedures for discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying.
Some critics acknowledged the bill's revisions but maintained their opposition. They remain concerned that the new law could deter discussion of controversial topics in ethnic studies and other subjects. They also worry that it might falsely equate legitimate criticism of Israel with antisemitism. On the other hand, Will Swaim of the California Policy Center criticized the bill from the right. He argued it became a "do-nothing law" that creates new bureaucracy without achieving its stated goals.
The implementation of this new office and its impact on classroom discussions and student experiences will be closely watched in California schools.
