Senate Appropriations Advances AB 715 to Create State Office, Antisemitism Coordinator; Fiscal and Legal Concerns Raised

The Senate Appropriations Committee voted to send Assembly Bill 715 to the Senate floor after a contentious hearing in which authors, advocates and education groups debated the bill’s fiscal effects and legal risks.

AB 715 would establish an Office of Civil Rights at the state level that includes coordinators to address antisemitism and other bias in K–12 schools. Supporters told the committee the measure is a targeted, preventative response to rising antisemitic incidents affecting students. Opponents, including school boards and teachers’ unions, said the bill’s language is vague, could produce litigation and compliance costs for local educational agencies, and needs cleanup before enactment.

The bill’s lead author framed AB 715 as a narrowly focused education-safety measure. “Jewish students across our state are being bullied, harassed, and intimidated simply because of who they are,” Assemblymember Ziburr said, urging the committee to consider the fiscal aspects of prevention and technical assistance. David Bocarsley, executive director of the Jewish…