The California Legislature has approved the Safe Worship Zone Act, establishing a 100-foot buffer zone around entrances to houses of worship that prohibits individuals from approaching congregants within eight feet without their consent. The measure passed the Senate unanimously with 34 votes in favor and six abstentions on Thursday, followed by a 49-2 vote with 28 abstentions in the Assembly on Monday. The bill now awaits Governor Gavin Newsom’s decision, who has until September 30 to sign or veto the legislation.

Authored by Assembly Member Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, the legislation is backed by Jewish California, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), the Jewish Community Relations Council Bay Area, and the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles. Its provisions are modeled after similar "bubble zone" laws that protect reproductive health clinics, which the US Supreme Court has upheld in recent rulings.

The act seeks to protect worshippers from being surrounded, blocked, confronted, or intimidated as they enter or leave their places of worship, without infringing on constitutional rights to protest or assembly. David Bocarsly, CEO of Jewish California, emphasized the bill’s purpose by stating that all Californians should be able to access their places of worship without fear of intimidation. Bauer-Kahan highlighted the increasing incidents of antisemitism, calling the legislation an important tool to help communities resist harassment and maintain the sanctity of religious spaces.

Opposition to the bill was expressed by the California chapter of the Council on Arab and Islamic Relations (CAIR). The organization argues that the law could jeopardize peaceful protesters’ and community advocates’ rights to engage in lawful First Amendment activities near religious institutions. CAIR noted that houses of worship often serve as venues for events beyond religious services, including political speeches, advocacy gatherings, community forums, and commercial events that may involve controversial figures or entities.

CAIR further contended that protections for faith institutions should not come at the expense of public accountability or constitutional freedoms, urging California to find ways to safeguard houses of worship without granting special exemptions that could limit free expression in public spaces.

The bill’s outcome now rests with Governor Newsom, whose anticipated decision will determine whether the Safe Worship Zone Act becomes law in California.