Jewish California and Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan Introduce Safe Worship Zone Legislation to Protect California Faith Communities

SACRAMENTO, CA – Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda) introduced AB 2664, “Safe Worship Zone” – otherwise known as “bubble zone” – legislation designed to protect Californians’ ability to enter houses of worship safely, without intimidation, harassment, or obstruction. Jewish California (formerly JPAC) – the nation's largest statewide coalition of Jewish organizations – is sponsoring the bill.

AB 2664 comes amid rising antisemitism and a growing pattern of protests outside religious institutions. According to a recent study by the American Jewish Committee, 26% of Jewish Americans report they do not feel safe attending Jewish institutions. Recent incidents outside houses of worship – including demonstrations at Wilshire Boulevard Temple and Adas Torah – have heightened concerns about the safety of people as they enter and exit places of worship.

“Jewish community members across California already live with a security infrastructure – metal detectors, armed guards, locked doors – just to attend Shabbat services,” said David Bocarsly, Executive Director of Jewish California. “That is not normal, and it shouldn’t be. AB 2664 is about protecting the dignity of every Californian who wants to practice their faith without running a gauntlet of fear just to walk through the door. At a moment when too many faith communities are being targeted, we must stand together. We look forward to building a broad interfaith coalition to make California's houses of worship safe for everyone.”

AB 2664 would establish a 100-foot zone around the entrances of houses of worship, within which protesters may not intentionally approach congregants within eight feet of their body without their consent. These “bubble zone” protections are intended to ensure that individuals can enter and leave religious institutions without being confronted, surrounded, obstructed, or intimidated.

Colorado’s bubble zone law for health clinics has been on the books since 1993 and was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in Hill v. Colorado. In 2024, San Diego established a bubble zone law for clinics, schools, and houses of worship, which has also been upheld in federal court. AB 2664 is designed to balance freedom of worship with freedom of speech – recognizing that the same First Amendment that protects protesters also protects the right to worship freely – while preserving the ability to protest in public spaces.

“Every Californian deserves to practice their faith without fear,” said Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan. “The rise in antisemitism and targeted harassment outside houses of worship is deeply alarming and deeply personal to me. AB 2664 establishes common-sense protections already in place in other states. No one should have to run a gauntlet of intimidation just to attend services. This bill ensures they won't have to.”