California Assembly Bill 1803 draws criticism from Christian groups

California Assembly Bill 1803, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, will require employers with five or more employees to include instruction on recognizing and addressing speech that “vilifies, humiliates, or incites hatred” based on protected characteristics, including sexual orientation and gender identity. The law is set to take effect on January 1, 2028.

Conservative Christian groups and pastors have criticized the legislation, arguing it functions as a form of government-mandated indoctrination. The California Family Council and various religious leaders expressed concern that the law does not provide explicit exemptions for churches whose teachings on marriage and gender are based on biblical passages. They warn that traditional religious views could lead to workplace disputes under the new curriculum developed by the California Civil Rights Department.