Controversial antisemitism bill awaits Newsom's signature

"A hotly contested bill aimed at reducing antisemitism in California schools now awaits Gov. Gavin Newsom's signature. AB 715, introduced by Democratic Assemblymembers Rick Chavez Zbur of Los Angeles and Dawn Addis of San Luis Obispo, seeks to reign in antisemitism in schools by establishing a new Office of Civil Rights to work directly with schools on addressing incidents of discrimination and hate."

"The new department would be administered by the state's Government Operations Agency, and its director would be appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. The bill would also establish an Antisemitism Prevention Coordinator, who will be tasked with tracking and reporting antisemitism in schools, as well as training and advising local educational agencies on education efforts. The coordinator would also be appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate."

"If signed, the bill would require any adopted curriculum to be factually accurate and align with the current adopted curriculum and standards under California law and would prohibit local educational agencies from adopting any professional development materials or services that would use curriculum considered discriminatory. The bill is a joint effort between the chairs of California legislative diversity caucuses, including the Black, Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander and Jewish caucuses"

AB 715 would establish a state Office of Civil Rights within the Government Operations Agency to work directly with schools on incidents of discrimination and hate. The bill would create an Antisemitism Prevention Coordinator responsible for tracking and reporting antisemitism in schools and training and advising local educational agencies. The director of the office and the coordinator would be gubernatorial appointments confirmed by the state Senate. Adopted curricula would be required to be factually accurate and aligned with current California standards, and local agencies would be barred from using professional development materials deemed discriminatory.

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