SACRAMENTO, California (Press Release) – In a powerful display of unity, the California State Assembly on Thursday passed AB 715 with an overwhelming bipartisan 68-0 vote.
Authored by Assemblymembers Rick Chavez Zbur and Dawn Addis, sponsored by the Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California (JPAC), and supported by a coalition of 47 Jewish organizations, the bill continues to gain extraordinary bipartisan momentum in the fight against antisemitism in K-12 schools.
The bill is principally co-authored by the Chairs of Jewish, Black, Latino, Native American, and AAPI Legislative Caucuses. Legislators from the diversity caucuses spoke on the Assembly Floor with conviction and solidarity, many sharing personal stories and expressing deep concern about the growing threats Jewish students face. Their remarks reflected a shared belief that protecting students from hate is not a partisan issue – it’s a moral imperative.
AB 715 is the legislature’s response to the documented rise in antisemitic incidents across California schools. According to the Anti-Defamation League, antisemitic incidents in California’s K-12 schools have surged 623% in the last decade.
The bill strengthens the state’s capacity to prevent and respond to antisemitism by:
- Strengthening anti-discrimination protections based on religion and nationality
- Ensuring instruction, curriculum, textbooks, and materials are free from antisemitism and discrimination
- Expanding the state’s Uniform Complaint Procedure (UCP) process to cover school board members and contractors – with faster resolution timelines
- Increasing accountability for schools and districts
- Establishing California’s first-ever State Antisemitism Coordinator to lead statewide efforts
Thursday’s floor vote builds on the unanimous votes in the Assembly Education Committee (9-0) and the Assembly Appropriations Committee (14-0-1). In addition to the 47 Jewish organizations signed on in support, over 700 community members and allies traveled to Sacramento this month to lobby and testify in support of this bill, and thousands of Californians have emailed or called their legislators.
“Today’s vote sends a resounding message to Jewish students and families: You are not alone,” said Bocarsly. “We know that attacks on one community threaten all vulnerable communities, and we are proud to be building a state where every child can learn in safety and dignity.”
AB 715 now heads to the Senate Education Committee, where it must be voted on by July 18th.
Preceding provided by the Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California.