SACRAMENTO, Calif.(Diya TV ) — Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed two California bills aimed at improving security at places of worship and nonprofit community spaces. The new laws expand access protections and increase security resources for organizations facing threats of hate and violence.
Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1836 by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, D-Encino, and Assembly Bill 2664 by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, D-Orinda, on Sept. 25. The signing took place at Wilshire Boulevard Temple in Los Angeles.
The measures focus on two related issues. First, they seek to help people safely enter and leave houses of worship. Second, they expand security support for nonprofit groups that host religious, cultural, and community events.
The legislation comes as California continues to invest in the safety of faith-based organizations and other nonprofits. Since 2015, the state has provided more than $300 million to 1,614 nonprofits and places of worship through the California State Nonprofit Security Grant Program.
AB 1836 expands the reach of that security funding. Under the new law, eligible organizations can use security support for certain offsite events. Those events can include marches, Pride celebrations, cultural gatherings, and religious festivals.
That change addresses a gap between permanent facilities and temporary events. Many nonprofit groups serve their communities outside their regular buildings. Therefore, organizers may need security resources when large public gatherings take place.
Gabriel, who chairs the California Legislative Jewish Caucus, said the bill builds on the state’s nonprofit security program. He also pointed to $80 million in ongoing annual funding secured for the program.
The state program helps nonprofits pay for security improvements. Those improvements can include reinforced doors and gates, lighting, alarm systems, surveillance equipment and access controls. It also supports emergency preparedness efforts.
AB 2664 focuses on access to houses of worship. Bauer-Kahan said the measure creates a safety zone around those locations. The goal is to give people greater protection as they enter and leave worship services.
The two bills also reflect concerns among religious communities about hate-motivated threats. California has expanded its security grants to support houses of worship, LGBTQ+ community centers, reproductive health clinics and other nonprofits that face elevated risks.
The timing of the signing also carries significance for Wilshire Boulevard Temple. In 2025, protesters entered the temple during a gathering. According to the governor’s office, the incident involved antisemitic insults and damage to the building. Newsom returned to the site for the bill signing less than a year later.
David Bocarsly, CEO of Jewish California, cited the state’s broader efforts to protect at-risk nonprofits. He also pointed to the state’s Golden State Plan to Counter Antisemitism and its broader security investments.
Meanwhile, California continues to direct new funding toward nonprofit safety. In May, the state announced $80 million for 343 nonprofit organizations. The awards included 228 faith-based groups.
Together, AB 1836 and AB 2664 add new protections to California’s nonprofit security efforts. The laws cover both access to houses of worship and security at community events.
For Californians, the measures affect a wide range of public spaces. Synagogues, churches, mosques, and other faith communities can use state-supported security resources as they work to protect people and maintain access to community life.
As a result, California’s latest laws expand its approach to nonprofit security. They also place greater attention on protecting people not only inside houses of worship, but also at events where communities gather, celebrate, and worship.
