Existing law states the policy of the State of California is to afford all persons in public schools, regardless of their disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or any other specified characteristic, equal rights and opportunities in the educational institutions of the state. Existing law prohibits the governing board of a school district, a county board of education, or the governing body of a charter school from adopting or approving the use of any textbook, instructional material, supplemental instructional material, or curriculum if its use would subject a pupil to unlawful discrimination, as specified.
This bill would similarly prohibit, in addition to the existing prohibition on adopting or approving the use of these materials in these circumstances, allowing the use of these materials in these circumstances. By imposing additional duties on school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact subsequent legislation to, among other things, strengthen protections against discrimination, including antisemitism, in K–12 education, including protections against instruction and activity that promotes discrimination.
Existing law, for purposes of certain related educational equity provisions, including the above-described prohibition on unlawful discrimination, defines "nationality" to include citizenship, county of origin, and national origin, and defines "religion" to include all aspects of religious belief, observance, and practice, as provided.
This bill would define "nationality" to also include a person's actual or perceived shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics, or residency in a country with a dominant religion or distinct religious identity, as provided. The bill would define "discrimination on the basis of religion" to include, but not be limited to, antisemitism and Islamophobia.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

Statutes affected:
05/12/25 - Amended Assembly: 212 EDC, 212 EDC, 212.3 EDC, 212.3 EDC, 244 EDC, 244 EDC