AJC Welcomes Federal Court Dismissal of Challenge to California Anti-Discrimination Law

American Jewish Committee welcomed a federal court decision dismissing a challenge to AB 715, a landmark California law to protect public school students from harassment and ensure that curricula are accurate and nondiscriminatory.

In Prichett v. Bonta, plaintiffs argued that the law infringed on teachers' and students' First Amendment rights to determine what is taught.

U.S. District Court Judge for the Northern District of California Noël Wise dismissed all claims with prejudice on July 28, stating "[S]tudents and teachers do not have a 'First Amendment right to influence curriculum as they so choose.'"

Judge Wise, who previously denied plaintiffs' request to block AB 715 from taking effect in January, further rejected plaintiffs' argument that the law's creation of an Office for Civil Rights with an Antisemitism Prevention Coordinator treated them unequally.

"AB 715 attempts to address, in a neutral fashion, the results of increasing Antisemitism in California schools; it does not attempt to discriminate against students on the basis of their religion," she wrote.

American Jewish Committee applauded the ruling's impact.

"The California legislature passed AB 715 after documenting in excruciating detail the effects of antisemitism in schools across our state," said Teresa Drenick, AJC Northern California Director. "We appreciate Judge Wise ruling again that this critical law is constitutional and must be allowed to move forward to its intended purpose: enabling students to learn without discrimination."

AB 715 passed the state Legislature unanimously. It was signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Oct. 7, 2025 and was implemented this year. In tandem with another law, SB 48, it establishes a new Office of Civil Rights within California's Governmental Operations Agency to address discrimination and bias in public education.

In addition to an Antisemitism Prevention Coordinator, the Office includes coordinators focused on addressing discrimination based on religion, race and ethnicity, gender, and LGBTQ status.

"This ruling affirms that states have the authority to guide curriculum in a responsible way to protect students from discrimination and foster educational environments where every student can thrive," said Dr. Laura Shaw Frank, Director of AJC's Center for Education Advocacy.

AJC played an important role shaping and advocating for the legislation, including during the legal challenge. Longtime volunteer leader Fredrick Levin, and his colleagues at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe wrote AJC's amicus brief pro bono citing the legal precedent concerning the First Amendment principles affirmed in Judge Wise's rulings.

Through its Center for Education Advocacy, AJC offersresources to help families, students, and K-12 school administrators create educational spaces that are resilient against antisemitism. AJC's Guide to Understanding AB 715 ishere.

AJC is the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people. With headquarters in New York, 25 regional offices across the United States, 15 overseas posts, as well as partnerships with 38 Jewish community organizations worldwide, AJC's mission is to enhance the well-being of the Jewish people and Israel and to advance human rights and democratic values in the United States and around the world. For more, please visit www.ajc.org .