Legislature Passes Two Jewish California-Sponsored Bills Protecting Religious Observance and Community Safety

AB 395 ensures no major school and government events are scheduled on religious holidays, and AB 1836 expands nonprofit security grants to cover public events

SACRAMENTO, CA – Last night, the California Legislature gave final approval to two bills authored by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino) and sponsored by Jewish California: Assembly Bill 395, which requires government bodies, K-12 schools, and public universities to make every reasonable effort to avoid scheduling major events on religious holidays, and Assembly Bill 1836, which expands the California State Nonprofit Security Grant Program (CSNSGP) to cover high-risk community events held in public spaces. Both bills passed the Senate unanimously. AB 1836 passed the Assembly yesterday 78-0, with 1 abstention, and AB 395 passed the Assembly yesterday 77-0, with 2 abstentions. Both now head to Governor Gavin Newsom's desk for signature.

AB 395

AB 395 requires government bodies, K-12 schools, and public universities to make every reasonable effort to avoid scheduling public meetings or major school events – first days of school, final exams, and graduations – on religious holidays. The bill also codifies Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Passover in California state law for the first time, alongside Eid, Diwali, and several other prominent holidays. AB 395 has passed every committee and floor vote with near-unanimous support, and carries zero recorded opposition. However, it took nearly two years to reach this point. The bill was held in the Senate Judiciary Committee for a full year over technical concerns, and only advanced after sustained community advocacy, just days before a deadline that would have killed it outright.

“California is immensely proud of our diversity, and Californians of all faiths and backgrounds should be able to fully participate in public life,” said Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino). “For too long and in too many communities, religious minorities and other people of faith have been asked to make difficult choices on the days that matter most to them. This legislation would help to prevent that injustice, and ensure that Californians of all backgrounds can fully participate, particularly when important decisions are being made.”

"AB 395 ends a quiet but persistent form of exclusion – the choice too many Californians have faced between practicing their faith and fully participating in school and civic life," said David Bocarsly, CEO of Jewish California (formerly JPAC). "It's also the first time Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Passover, and other faiths' religious holidays will be recognized in California statute. We thank Assemblymember Gabriel for his leadership, and the remarkably diverse coalition of labor, education, and interfaith partners – including 61 Jewish organizations – who came out in support."

AB 1836

AB 1836 closes a gap in current law that limits CSNSGP funding to a nonprofit's physical building, leaving community events in public spaces – menorah lightings, cultural festivals, Pride celebrations, and other gatherings that have become targets for hate – without a dedicated funding source for security. Hate crimes in California have risen 110% over the past decade, with anti-Jewish and anti-black bias among the most prevalent every year.

“California is stepping up to protect our communities, so that Californians of all faiths and backgrounds can gather together and celebrate without fear,” said Gabriel, who chairs the California Legislative Jewish Caucus. “This bill sends a powerful message that California will continue to stand with the LGBTQ+ community and all others targeted by hate. We will never let hate win.”

"Our communities don't just gather behind security doors – we gather for religious holidays in the park, we demonstrate, and we host public festivals and parades," said Bocarsly. "Vulnerable communities should not have to worry about safety when practicing our traditions in the community. But with hate-motivated violence on the rise, the cost of securing these gatherings has become prohibitive for many organizations, threatening the very community-building that defines us. We thank Assemblymember Gabriel for his leadership in solving this problem, and we're proud to work alongside Equality California to make sure every Californian can come together without fear."

In Governor Newsom’s tenure, the state has allocated $395 million to the CSNSGP, and this year made a generational commitment of $80 million in ongoing, annual funding.

AB 1836 is numbered for the Jewish symbol of life, because the number 18 – and its double, 36 – correspond to the numerological value of the Hebrew word chai – life.

Both bills now go to Governor Newsom, who has until September 30 to sign or veto legislation passed this session.

Follow the status of all Jewish California bills at our Policy Agenda Tracker: https://tracker.jewishcal.org/