Newsom signs controversial antisemitism bill that sets up first-in-the-nation measures

"The bill, Assembly Bill 715 - introduced by Democratic Assemblymembers Rick Chavez Zbur of Los Angeles and Dawn Addis of San Luis Obispo - establishes a new Office of Civil Rights and a first-in-the-nation statewide Antisemitism Prevention Coordinator in an effort to rein in antisemitism in schools. The bill was a joint effort between the chairs of California's legislative diversity caucuses, including the Black, Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, and Jewish caucuses."

"The new office will be administered by the state's Government Operations Agency, and its director appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. The Antisemitism Prevention Coordinator will be appointed by Newsom and confirmed by the state Senate, tasked with tracking and reporting antisemitism in California schools, as well as training and advising local educational agencies on how to address antisemitism."

"Under the bill, school materials must be 'factually accurate,' and local educational agencies are prohibited from using any professional development materials or services considered discriminatory. The bill also requires schools to investigate and take corrective action when discriminatory content is used in classrooms or professional development."

Widespread opposition from California educator groups preceded Gov. Gavin Newsom signing legislation aimed at reducing antisemitism in classrooms. Assembly Bill 715 establishes a new Office of Civil Rights and a first-in-the-nation Antisemitism Prevention Coordinator, developed with multiple legislative diversity caucuses. The office will be administered by the Government Operations Agency, with the director and coordinator appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. The coordinator will track and report antisemitism, and provide training and advice to local educational agencies. The law requires factually accurate school materials and bars discriminatory professional development, mandating investigation and corrective action for discriminatory content.

Read at The Mercury News