California Lawmakers Introduce Anti Hate Policy Package to Confront Hate and Strengthen Accountability

Assemblymembers Dr. Corey A. Jackson, Josh Lowenthal, and Patrick Ahrens have introduced a coordinated anti hate policy package rooted in the findings from the Commission on the State of Hate.

• Daniel Peeden
• [email protected]

Sacramento, CA- In a moment when hate crimes and bias incidents continue at historically high rates and shape the lived reality of communities across California, Assemblymembers Dr. Corey A. Jackson, Josh Lowenthal, and Patrick Ahrens have introduced a coordinated anti hate policy package rooted in the findings from the Commission on the State of Hate.

The package includes AB 1578 by Jackson, AB 1803 by Lowenthal, and AB 2347 by Ahrens. Together, the measures address hate from multiple angles including law enforcement training, workplace accountability, and statewide data driven reform.

AB 1578 by Assemblymember Jackson advances a key recommendation from the Commission on the State of Hate to strengthen California's response to hate based harm. The bill centers prevention and accountability of hate speech by local and state elected officials in how the state confronts hate crimes and bias incidents by mandating training.

Jackson stated:

"AB 1578 recognizes what too many Californians already know. Hate is not abstract. It is lived. It shapes where people feel safe, where they work, and how they move through their own communities and the primary impetus of hate crimes is hate speech from elected officials. This bill takes the findings of the Commission on the State of Hate and turns them into action. We cannot claim to value equality while ignoring the systems that allow hate to persist. AB 1578 demands that our state respond with clarity, data, and the courage to tell the truth about who is harmed and why. Justice begins with naming harm and building structures that prevent it."

AB 2347 by Assemblymember Ahrens focuses on strengthening law enforcement training to better respond to hate crimes.

"I am proud to work with my colleague Assemblymember Dr. Corey Jackson to implement necessary recommendations from the Commission on the State of Hate report to improve resources and support for peace officers working to protect California communities from hate crimes. I authored AB 2347 to identify gaps in law enforcement training programs and require adoption of evidence based hate crimes training to improve law enforcement responses. My legislation takes action to provide better support for peace officers and improve policing on our streets," said Assemblymember Ahrens.

AB 1803 by Assemblymember Lowenthal addresses hate speech in the workplace by integrating anti hate speech training into existing sexual harassment prevention programs.

"AB 1803 is about making our workplaces safer, more respectful, and more inclusive for everyone. Hate speech has no place on the job, just as sexual harassment has no place on the job. By incorporating anti hate speech training into existing sexual harassment prevention programs, we are building on a proven framework to address harmful behavior before it escalates," said Assemblymember Lowenthal. "This bill ensures employees and employers alike have the tools to recognize, prevent, and respond to hate based conduct, fostering work environments where every Californian is treated with dignity and respect."

Together, the three bills form a coordinated strategy to confront hate where it appears in public spaces, workplaces, and institutions. The lawmakers emphasized that confronting hate is not symbolic work. It is structural work. It requires policy, training, and accountability.

California has long claimed to lead on civil rights. This package asserts that leadership must be earned through action that protects those most targeted and most often unheard.