California Legislature Passes Bill Recognizing Jewish Identity as Ethnic Category

The California State Legislature passed Senate Bill 1387 on September 1, 2026, making California the first U.S. state to recognize Jewish identity as a legal ethnic and racial category. The legislation requires state agencies, including prisons, unemployment offices, and public schools, to include Jewish as a voluntary option for ethnicity or ancestry on demographic forms. The bill is set to take effect in 2030 and now awaits the signature of Governor Gavin Newsom, who has until September 30 to act.

Henry Stern, the Democratic state senator who authored the bill, argued the measure promotes visibility and inclusion. Supporters, including the advocacy group Jewish California, claim the data will help officials track hate crimes and address disparities in school representation and unemployment. To address privacy concerns, the bill bars agencies from disclosing personal identifying information and exempts agencies that would lose federal funding by making the change.

Opponents, including the group Jewish Voice for Peace, expressed distrust regarding government record-keeping of Jewish individuals, citing the historical trauma of the Holocaust. Critics also questioned the categorization of Jews as a single ethnic group, noting that Jews of color have different cultural experiences than white Jews.

Alongside SB 1387, the legislature passed several other measures to combat antisemitism. These include the Safe Worship Zone Act and legislation that prohibits the inclusion of hate speech in official voter guides.