Newsom Vetoes California Bill That Would Have Criminalized ‘Harassing’ Teachers, Disrupting School Board Meetings

California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during a news conference after meeting with students at James Denman Middle School in San Francisco on Oct. 1, 2021. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill that would have made it a misdemeanor to harass school employees or disrupt school board meetings.

The governor on Oct. 8 rejected Senate Bill 596, which would have criminalized those who disrupt school board meetings or harass teachers, school staff, or district officials in verbal, written, or electronic communication with up to $1,000 in fines and jail time.

Mr. Newsom said he rejected the bill because the state already has laws in place criminalizing harassment and threats.

“Credible threats of violence and acts of harassment—whether directed against school officials, elected officials, or members of the general public—can already be prosecuted as crimes,” he stated in his  Oct. 8 veto letter. “As such, creating a new crime is unnecessary.”

The governor additionally said that while he believes the country’s tense political conversations lead to “caustic atmospheres at local school board meetings and politicization of our kids’ education,” he wanted to be “cautious about stifling parents’ voices.”

“We need to be cautious about exacerbating tensions by implementing additional laws that can be perceived as stifling parents’ voices in the decision-making process,” he said. “We need more grace, more respectful conversations, and more protection of constitutional rights for all people, especially for those with whom we disagree.”

The bill was introduced in February by Sen. Anthony Portantino (D-Glendale), who said he did so in response to the growing group of parents and community members who are questioning teachers and school administrators over controversial content in their children’s classrooms—including those who express concern about classrooms celebrating LGBT Pride month and other lessons containing gender ideology.

“Actions that incite fear amongst educators who are teaching in accordance with state standards are counterproductive, unacceptable and potentially dangerous,” said Mr. Portantino in a February statement. “Too many teachers are being intimidated and harassed for just doing their job. [Senate Bill] 596 will ensure that they can continue to be dedicated educators, helping their students thrive unencumbered by fear and intimidation.”

The bill’s consideration comes after months of rising tension in Mr. Portantino’s Glendale district over its policies on LGBT topics in classrooms.

In June, three people were arrested after a brawl broke out between demonstrators and counter-protestors in opposition to the Glendale Unified School District’s recognition of Pride Month and LGBT content in classrooms.

Those in opposition say they want the district to focus on teaching academics and allow parents to introduce such topics to children on their own terms.

Aneta Krpekyan, a Glendale Unified parent, previously told The Epoch Times in an email that the bill was an attempt by lawmakers to find a legal way to silence parents.

“[Mr. Portantino] pushes this bill under the guise of protecting educators from ‘harassment,’ when it’s actually a bill that protects teachers from any criticism when they go rogue on their curriculum,” said Ms. Krpekyan, who also plans to run for the Glendale Unified School Board. “This is a parents’ silencing bill and nothing more.”

Additionally, she said the bill seeks to place teachers and district employees in a protected class of their own, while stomping on parents’ basic parental rights and First Amendment rights by imposing “a criminal record for speaking out.”

“This bill protects school employees from public criticism, not harassment,” she said.