New legislation expands workplace harassment training beginning in 2028, prompting questions about Christian organizations, biblical teachings, and constitutional protections.
SACRAMENTO, California — October 28, 2026
California Governor Signs New Hate Speech Training Law
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1803 on September 27, 2026, introducing additional workplace training requirements that have generated concerns among Christian organizations about religious liberty and freedom of expression.
The legislation, authored by Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal, requires covered employers to incorporate anti-hate speech instruction into existing harassment prevention programs beginning January 1, 2028.
What Does California AB 1803 Require?
Under the new law, employers with five or more workers generally must provide training addressing workplace speech that humiliates, vilifies, or encourages hatred toward individuals because of legally protected characteristics.
These include religion, race, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, and other classifications protected under California employment law.
The measure expands existing training requirements without mandating a separate course or additional instructional hours.
Are California Churches Required to Participate?
The legislation does not require every pastor, congregation, or church member to complete hate speech training.
California employment law generally excludes nonprofit religious associations and corporations from certain employer classifications. However, AB 1803 amends a training statute containing its own definition of an employer.
Consequently, whether particular religious organizations must comply may depend on their staffing arrangements, legal status, and applicable exemptions.
Christian Organizations Raise Religious Freedom Concerns
The California Family Council has opposed AB 1803, arguing that its language could create uncertainty for Christians expressing traditional religious beliefs about marriage, sexuality, and gender identity.
The organization questions whether government-directed workplace instruction could discourage constitutionally protected religious viewpoints.
Supporters, meanwhile, describe the legislation as an effort to prevent discriminatory harassment and promote respectful workplaces.
Does the New Law Restrict Biblical Preaching?
AB 1803 does not expressly prohibit sermons, biblical instruction, or religious worship.
The First Amendment continues to protect religious expression, although workplace harassment and discrimination remain subject to applicable employment laws.
The controversy centers on whether future implementation could create conflicts between religious convictions and workplace conduct standards.
What California Churches Should Know Before 2028
Religious organizations employing workers should review their employment classifications and applicable legal obligations before the new training provisions take effect.
The legislation also permits existing harassment prevention training to satisfy the new requirement when it adequately addresses prohibited harassment and abusive conduct involving protected characteristics.
For California’s Christian community, the broader question concerns how religious freedom and workplace protections will coexist under the expanded requirements.
Three Key Takeaways
- California’s AB 1803 begins January 1, 2028, adding anti-hate speech instruction to existing workplace harassment prevention training for covered employers.
- Churches are not universally required to participate. Religious exemptions exist under California employment law, but their application to particular organizations and the amended training statute requires careful evaluation.
- Biblical preaching is not expressly prohibited. Christian advocates nevertheless question whether the law’s implementation could affect religious expression in workplace settings.
Source Verification
California Assembly Bill 1803 — Chapter 547, Statutes of 2026. Official legislative text establishing the training requirements and January 2028 implementation date.
California Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal — September 28, 2026. Official announcement explaining the legislation’s purpose and workplace protections.
California Family Council — Legislative analysis of AB 1803. Documents opposition to the measure and concerns about religious expression and constitutional rights.
Fisher Phillips — October 26, 2026. Employment-law analysis addressing training requirements, compliance obligations, and implementation.
Editorial Verification Note: AB 1803 does not establish a statewide requirement for all churches or clergy to undergo hate speech training. California law recognizes certain religious-employer exemptions, but the interaction between those exemptions and the training statute’s employer definition warrants further legal clarification. Claims that the legislation prohibits biblical preaching are not supported by its express language.
Disclaimer:
The information presented in this article is for informational and educational purposes only. Readers are advised to conduct thorough research before making any decisions.
Source: Christian News & Investigative Reports (CNIR) — cnirbc.com
Reporting the headline. Investigating the facts.
