CALIFORNIA STATE – Californians entering a church, synagogue, mosque or temple will gain a new legal protection against unwanted close approaches under a bill Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Friday, September 25, according to JCRC Bay Area.
Assembly Bill 2664, the Safe Worship Zone Act, was authored by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, D-Orinda. It establishes a 100-foot area around entrances and exits of places of worship. Within that area, someone cannot intentionally come within eight feet of a person entering or leaving, without consent, to hand over a leaflet, display a sign, engage in oral protest or education, or harass, obstruct, threaten or intimidate them.
Importantly, the law does not prohibit every protest within 100 feet of a religious institution. Its restriction concerns the specified close approaches to people entering or leaving.
The measure covers spaces used primarily for worship or religious education. It can also include a parking lot or driveway and their entrances when the primary way into the building is through the parking lot. For a person in a vehicle entering or leaving a covered parking lot, the eight-foot distance is measured from the vehicle’s exterior.
A first violation is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $1,000 fine, six months in county jail, or both. A later violation can carry up to a $5,000 fine, one year in county jail, or both.
JCRC Bay Area, which championed the measure, said the signing would help people enter synagogues, mosques, churches and temples without intimidation.
The legislation also drew opposition. CAIR California urged Newsom to veto it, arguing that the new criminal penalties could chill peaceful protests when religious institutions host political or commercial events. Supporters said the rule protects access while leaving room for protest that does not involve prohibited close approaches.
Newsom also signed a related measure, AB 1836, according to JCRC Bay Area. Authored by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, it expands the California State Nonprofit Security Grant Program so eligible nonprofits can use grants to secure events on or off their premises — such as community celebrations held in public spaces. The bill caps the use of an award for offsite event security at $25,000. The grant program remains dependent on funding in the annual state budget.
Both measures are non-urgency bills and are generally expected to take effect January 1, 2027. The governor’s signatures do not put the new restrictions into effect immediately.
