What’s Happening
Earlier this month, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 715 into law, despite overwhelming opposition from teachers’ unions, civil rights groups, and education advocates across California.
This problematic classroom censorship bill silences Muslim, Arab, Palestinian, Jewish, and other marginalized voices in California public schools by shielding a foreign government—Israel—from legitimate criticism and criminalizes honest discussions on Palestine and other global human rights issues.
AB 715’s provisions will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2026. In his signing message, Governor Newsom acknowledged the “unintended consequences” of the bill and referenced “firm commitments made by the authors of AB 715 to work quickly on a follow-up measure next year to continue addressing these issues.”
AB 715’s Impact
CAIR-CA strongly opposed AB 715 and advocated against the legislation, warning that it will likely:
- Chill instruction and speech in public classrooms by pressuring teachers and students to avoid speaking about Palestine and Islamophobia, and discussing and teaching about other historically marginalized groups.
- Politicize complaints against educators and students by relying on vague and overbroad definitions, including the controversial IHRA definition of antisemitism.
- Blur the line between legitimate classroom speech and discrimination by conflating discussions on Palestinian history and critiques of the state of Israel with actionable discrimination and harassment.
CAIR-CA’s legislative team is closely reviewing and monitoring AB 715 as well as examining “clean-up” legislative strategies to mitigate the anticipated harm of the bill. CAIR-CA’s legal team is also reviewing the bill and assessing potential legal challenges.
Protecting Students’ Rights
Despite concerns about the impact of this legislation on our communities, AB 715 does expand reporting mechanisms for all students experiencing discrimination in schooland allows for discrimination and harassment complaints, even if a student was not present or directly harmed.
The law also now allows families to appeal directly to the state when a school fails to complete its investigation on time. These reporting pathways are open to all students.
Under AB 715, the types of cases that are reported will dictate future reports on the state of hate, discrimination, and harassment in schools—meaning if something isn’t reported, it won’t be addressed. These reports will be distributed to educators and government officials across the state.
CAIR-CA urges all educators, parents, and community members to report any instances of censorship, retaliatory action, or Islamophobia, anti-Palestinian and anti-Black racism, and other forms of discrimination to its Civil Rights Department. Students who are targets of discrimination and harassment can also report directly to their schools.
How To File a Report
If you are a target of discrimination or harassment, it is important to document as much as possible, including photos, videos, screenshots, written communications, and notes of meetings and verbal communications.
When filing a complaint, you should be sure to include:
- A basic, chronological description of what happened, including names of anyone present, dates, and locations.
- Any supporting documentation, such as emails, screenshots, or photographs.
- A clear explanation of your concern and the part of the law you believe was violated.
Families who wish to file a complaint may use the following options as appropriate, based on their specific needs and circumstances:
1. File With the School
For complaints involving discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and/or bullying against a student, families may file a complaint with their student’s school using the California Department of Education (CDE)’s Uniform Complaints Procedure.
- Complaints must be filed within six months of the date the incident occurred, or the date the complainant first became aware that the incident occurred.
- Complainants must be given the opportunity to provide evidence that supports the allegations included in the complaint.
- The school is required to conduct and complete an investigation into the complaint and prepare an investigation report within 60 days.
- The school’s investigation report should include:
Findings of fact based on the evidence gathered.
A conclusion providing a clear determination for each allegation as to whether the school is in compliance with the relevant laws.
Corrective actions, if the school finds merit.
Notice of the right to appeal the school’s investigation to the CDE within 30 days.
Procedures to be followed to initiate such an appeal.
2. File With the State
For complaints about discriminatory curricula or materials, and where there is evidence that immediate action is necessary, families may file directly with the California State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
3. File With the Federal Government
For complaints involving race, color, national origin, or ancestry, families may also file with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights.
Appeal & Civil Rights Remedies
Generally, families can appeal the school’s decision to the CDE if they are unsatisfied with the outcome. If the school fails to issue its investigation report within 60 days, families may appeal directly to the State Superintendent, who may intervene directly when immediate action is necessary.
Schools are also required to advise families that civil remedies may also be available to them. Families may seek civil remedies, including injunctive relief, without waiting for administrative processes.
Report to CAIR
If you are a student, parent, or teacher concerned about the impact of AB 715 in your classroom, or if you are a student targeted by hate or discrimination, report it to your local CAIR-CA Civil Rights Department.
