California Worship Buffer-Zone Bill (AB 2664)
California, United States- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- Became Law
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
Assembly concurred in Senate amendments; sent to engrossing and enrolling
This bill is still moving
This bill is still moving, so there's still time to push back.
Contact LawmakersWhat 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, sending the bill to engrossing and enrolling.
Why it matters
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. 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
Assembly concurred in Senate amendments; sent to engrossing and enrolling
LatestPassed the Senate 33-0 after reconsideration
Passed the Assembly 61-2 and sent to the Senate
Introduced in the Assembly
Sponsor
Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan