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California Legislature passes SB 1387, advancing recognition of Jewish identity as ethnicity

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Approved/passed
  • California lawmakers gave final approval to SB 1387, which would add Jewish identity as an ethnicity category in state demographic data alongside religious classification.
  • The bill passed the Assembly 62-0 and the Senate 38-0, and now awaits Governor Gavin Newsom’s signature or veto by September 30.
  • The measure would make participation voluntary, keep published data aggregated and prohibit using it to create individual registries or support law enforcement and immigration enforcement.

California lawmakers have unanimously advanced a bill that could make the state the first in the United States to formally recognize Jewish identity as an ethnicity in state law, alongside its religious classification.

The Assembly approved Senate Bill 1387 by a 62-0 vote during the final hours of the legislative session. The Senate then concurred, 38-0. The measure now goes to Governor Gavin Newsom, who must sign or veto it by September 30.

Authored by Democratic state Senator Henry Stern and sponsored by Jewish California, the bill would require state agencies collecting data on ancestry or ethnic origin to include a separate category for Jewish identity. Supporters say the change would produce more accurate data on hate crimes, public health and education.

SB 1387 makes sure that we are seen and included when the state counts ethnic communities, a national first.

— David BocarslyThe Jewish California chief executive described the bill’s intended effect on state demographic data.

Advocates cite a 2020 Pew Research Center study in which 52% of American Jewish respondents described ancestry as essential to their Jewish identity and 55% identified culture as essential. Only 36% defined their identity purely through religion. David Bocarsly, chief executive of Jewish California, said, “SB 1387 makes sure that we are seen and included when the state counts ethnic communities, a national first.” He added, “Good data makes good policy, and this bill means hate crime reports, health surveys, and education data will finally reflect who we actually are.”

The new option would be voluntary and would not replace existing religious categories. Published information would remain strictly aggregated, and the bill would prohibit its use to establish individual registries or for law enforcement and immigration enforcement. The requirements would take effect in January 2029, with the first formal reports due from January 2030.

Good data makes good policy, and this bill means hate crime reports, health surveys, and education data will finally reflect who we actually are.

— David BocarslyBocarsly argued that the measure would improve public policy and statistical reporting.
About this summary

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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