Assembly committee advances bill to address antisemitism in K-12 schools

Assemblymember Zibur and Assemblymember Don Addis presented AB 715 to the California State Assembly Education Committee, saying the bill is intended to strengthen protections against antisemitism in K–12 schools and to make it easier for districts and the state to respond when students are targeted.

At the hearing, the committee heard more than two hours of testimony from supporters — including a student, parents and Jewish organizations — and from opponents who said the bill, as written, could suppress legitimate classroom discussion about Israel and Palestine and create unintended legal and administrative burdens for districts.

"At its core, this bill is a civil rights and social justice bill, pure and simple," Assemblymember Zibur said in opening remarks, citing data he said show a recent surge in antisemitic incidents. His joint author, Assemblymember Don Addis, summarized the measure as aimed at preventing and responding to antisemitism and said, "AB 715 does 1 thing. It fights antisemitism in our K‑12 schools." Both authors described the draft before the committee as intent language that they plan to refine with stakeholders.

Supporters described students' experiences in classrooms and campus…