CaliforniaNear worship entrances or exits, certain close approaches would require consent
Within 100 feet of an entrance or exit to a worship or religious teaching space, people would need consent for certain approaches within eight feet of someone entering or leaving.
What it does
Within 100 feet of an entrance or exit to a worship or religious teaching space, people could not deliberately approach someone entering or leaving within eight feet without consent to offer leaflets, show signs, protest, teach, harass, block, threaten, or intimidate.
A first violation of the close approach rule could bring a fine of up to $1,000, up to six months in county jail, or both. A later violation could bring up to $5,000, up to one year in jail, or both.
Argument forPeople entering or leaving worship spaces could face fewer unwanted close approaches meant to harass or threaten them near an entrance or exit.
Argument againstPeople offering leaflets or protesting within 100 feet of a worship entrance or exit might find it harder to speak up close with visitors who do not consent.
More detail
People could not deliberately approach someone entering or leaving within eight feet without consent to do the listed acts. The rule applies within 100 feet of an entrance or exit to a space used mainly for worship or religious teaching. Driveways and their entrances count. Parking lots and their entrances count if the building's main entrance is through the lot. The approach must be to offer a leaflet, show a sign, speak in protest or education, or harass, block, threaten, or intimidate. Held signs and objects count toward the distances. For someone in a vehicle entering or leaving a parking lot, the eight feet starts at the vehicle's outside edge.
Courts could impose fines, county jail time, or both for violations of the close approach rule. The first violation is a misdemeanor. Higher maximum penalties apply to a second or later violation. A first violation allows a fine of up to $1,000, up to six months in county jail, or both. A second or later violation allows a fine of up to $5,000, up to one year in county jail, or both.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Sep 25Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 442, Statutes of 2026.Latest
- Sep 25Approved by the Governor Gavin Newsom.Became Law
- Sep 10Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.To Governor
- Aug 31
- Vote recorded AB 2664 Bauer-Kahan Concurrence in Senate Amendments. Result: pass.Lower
- Aug 30Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 59. Noes 2. Page 6884.).Major
- Aug 28In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
- Aug 27Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 33. Noes 0.).Major
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading AB2664 Bauer-Kahan et al. By Becker Reconsider. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading AB2664 Bauer-Kahan et al. By Becker. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading AB2664 Bauer-Kahan et al. By Becker. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 27Reconsideration granted. (Ayes 39. Noes 0.)
- Aug 27Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 37. Noes 0.).Passed Senate
- Aug 24Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Aug 20Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.Major
- Aug 13Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 13From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (August 13).Minor
- Jun 29In committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file.Minor
- Vote recorded Placed on suspense file. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 16From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 5. Noes 0.) (June 16). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 3Referred to Com. on PUB. S.Minor
- May 27In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.Minor
- May 26Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 61. Noes 2. Page 5318.)Passed Assembly
- Vote recorded AB 2664 Bauer-Kahan Assembly Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- May 18Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- May 14From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 11. Noes 2.) (May 14).Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass. Result: pass.Lower
- May 6In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.Minor
- Apr 22From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 10. Noes 0.) (April 21). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Apr 21
- Vote recorded Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 20Re-referred to Com. on JUD.Minor
- Apr 16Read second time and amended.Major
- Apr 15From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on JUD. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (April 14).Major
- Apr 14
- Vote recorded Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Judiciary]. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 23Re-referred to Com. on PUB. S.Minor
- Mar 19From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on PUB. S. Read second time and amended.Major
- Mar 19Referred to Coms. on PUB. S. and JUD.Minor
- Feb 21From printer. May be heard in committee March 23.
- Feb 20Read first time. To print.Introduced
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