California Worship Buffer-Zone Bill (AB 2664)

California, United StatesCalifornia AB 2664Updated September 25, 2026

100%became law
Bad for your rightsLaw
  1. Introduced
  2. Passed House
  3. Passed Senate
  4. Became Law

Signed September 25, 2026; takes effect January 1, 2027

Makes it a crime within 100 feet of a place of worship to approach within eight feet without consent to leaflet, display a sign, protest, or educate.

Latest update

Signed into law by Governor Newsom; reported as Chapter 442, Statutes of 2026

The bill

Read the full billOfficial bill record

Key facts

Where
California, United States
Bill number
California AB 2664
Status
Law
Introduced
February 20, 2026
Takes effect
January 1, 2027
Threat
High
Last update
September 25, 2026

Topics

Free Speech billsCensorship bills

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What it does

AB 2664 creates a 100-foot zone around entrances and exits of places of religious worship. Within that zone, intentionally approaching within eight feet of someone entering or leaving, without consent, to pass a leaflet, display a sign, engage in oral protest or education, harass, obstruct, threaten, or intimidate becomes a crime. A first violation can bring six months in county jail and a $1,000 fine; subsequent violations can bring one year and $5,000. The Legislature completed concurrence on August 30, 2026, and Governor Newsom signed the bill on September 25, 2026. It is reported as Chapter 442 and takes effect January 1, 2027.

What’s at stake

The text combines already unlawful conduct such as threats and obstruction with peaceful leafleting, signs, protest, and education. It therefore criminalizes protected expressive activity based on distance and lack of consent, even when no threat, harassment, or obstruction occurs.

Our take

California already has laws against violence, threats, intimidation, and blocking access. AB 2664 adds speech to that list, and Governor Newsom signed it. A person can face jail not for obstructing a worshipper but for approaching to hand over a leaflet or make an argument inside a government-drawn zone.

Timeline

  1. Signed into law by Governor Newsom; reported as Chapter 442, Statutes of 2026Latest

  2. Assembly concurred in Senate amendments; sent to engrossing and enrolling

  3. Passed the Senate 33-0 after reconsideration

  4. Passed the Assembly 61-2 and sent to the Senate

  5. Introduced in the Assembly

The record

Sponsor

Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan