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 effort