CA Legislature Sends Bill Requiring Antisemitism in Campus DEI Trainings to Governor’s Desk

Senate Bill 1287 (Glazer) Requires UC and CSU Campuses to Update Codes of Conduct to Prevent Violence, Intimidation, and Harassment

SACRAMENTO, CA — Last night, the California State Senate and Assembly approved Senate Bill 1287, authored by Senator Steve Glazer (D–Orinda) and a top priority for JPAC. SB 1287 will require university campuses to update and enforce provisions in their student codes to prevent instances of intimidation, harassment, and violence, and to maintain and enforce time, place, and manner restrictions that encourage a culture of civility and mutual respect. It will also require each system of higher education to develop training programs to educate students on civil discourse.

Despite opposition from a coalition of anti-Israel activists, SB 1287 passed the Assembly with 70 of 79 possible votes, and the Senate with 35 of 40 possible votes. Both votes earned bipartisan support. The bill now heads to Governor Newsom’s desk and must be signed by September 30th.

According to the ADL, antisemitic incidents at college campuses spiked by a staggering 321% to 922 incidents from 2022 to 2023, most of which took place after Hamas’s October 7 terrorist attack. Reported incidents at public universities across California have rattled Jewish students and shaken their ability to participate fully and equally in the education process. SB 1287 was developed in consultation with JPAC and several respected constitutional lawyers and organizations, ensuring that it protects the first amendment freedoms of both protestors and those targeted by such activities.

JPAC organized 42 Jewish organizations to support the bill, and it became a priority for the California Legislative Jewish Caucus, of which Senator Glazer is a member.

“This bill is critically important for Jewish college students who have felt unsafe on campuses, but it doesn’t just serve the Jewish community,” said David Bocarsly, JPAC Executive Director. “The growing trend of intolerance for differing viewpoints is a threat to everyone in a diverse, pluralistic society. Free speech is a cornerstone of our democracy, and harassment, intimidation, and violence against people with differing viewpoints threaten our shared values. We thank Senator Glazer for carrying this tough yet important bill, and for working with us to thread this needle and protect all students.”

Another JPAC priority bill impacting college students is Assembly Bill 2925 (Friedman), which would mandate that California’s college campuses include the five most targeted groups in their training to combat and address discrimination. Currently, most campus Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) trainings do not teach about antisemitism at all, or cover it inadequately relative to its prevalence. With the Jewish community consistently among the most targeted groups, this bill would ensure that antisemitism is included in campus antidiscrimination or DEI trainings. The bill was approved by the Senate and is awaiting one final vote in the Assembly before heading to Governor Newsom’s desk.