AB 2551 No Longer Repeals Campus Civil Rights Law

Amidst public pressure, author agrees to last-minute amendment removing the repeal of SB 1287, focusing on data gathering about the law’s impact

SACRAMENTO, CA — Jewish California (formerly JPAC), the nation's largest statewide coalition of Jewish organizations, today welcomed amendments to Assembly Bill 2551 (Elhawary) that remove a provision repealing SB 1287 (Glazer, 2024), California's landmark campus safety and civil rights law. With its central concern resolved, Jewish California has moved from opposition to a neutral position on the amended bill ahead of today’s Senate Education Committee vote.

Jewish California's primary concern with AB 2551 was the sunset of SB 1287 in its entirety by January 1, 2029 – eliminating the very protections that Jewish California and dozens of partner organizations fought for and won just two years ago. SB 1287 requires UC and CSU campuses to establish clear, content-neutral time, place, and manner rules for protests; to update student codes of conduct to prohibit violence, harassment, intimidation, and discrimination; and to publish those policies so every student understands their rights. Since its enactment, disruptions have eased and students across California have been better able to access their classes, libraries, and campus resources.

After AB 2551 was gut-and-amended to repeal that law, Jewish California took action. Over 8,000 community members and 57 Jewish community organizations shared their opposition to the bill with the Senate Education Committee. The University of California and California State University also opposed the bill. Following that outcry, Senate Education Committee Chair Sasha Renée Pérez recommended that the author amend the bill to strike the repeal of SB 1287 and limit AB 2551 to its public-hearing provisions. Assemblymember Elhawary accepted the recommendation.

"We are deeply grateful to Senate Leader Limón and Chair Pérez for listening to the concerns of our community and for their leadership," said David Bocarsly, CEO of Jewish California. "Removing the repeal of SB 1287 protects a law that is working to keep Jewish and all students safe on California's campuses. This is what it looks like when our community speaks with one voice and our leaders engage in good faith. We hope the author will continue to work with us to ensure that this bill – and all related future bills – can safeguard protections for Jewish students while ensuring everyone’s access to free expression and a safe learning environment."

As amended, AB 2551 no longer repeals SB 1287; instead, it requires data collection and public hearings to gather student feedback on time, place, and manner restrictions.