California Bill That Would Criminalize ‘Harassing’ Teachers, Disrupting School Board Meetings Passes Legislature

The Glendale Unified School Board’s final meeting of the school year draws dozens of parents, community members, and activists protesting over the district’s policies on LGBT content in schools in Glendale, Calif., on June 20, 2023. Courtesy of Hasmik Bezirdzhyan

A California bill that would make it a misdemeanor to harass school employees or disrupt school board meetings passed the state Legislature Sept. 12 after being placed on the suspense file last month.

State Senate Bill 596, introduced by Sen. Anthony Portantino (D-Glendale) in February, would criminalize those who disrupt school board meetings or harass teachers, other school staff, or district officials in verbal, written, or electronic communication with up to $1,000 in fines and jail time.