California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1803 last month. The law, which takes effect Jan. 1, 2028, adds material on certain workplace speech to harassment training already required of employers covered by state rules. It applies to employers with at least five employees who are subject to those existing requirements.
The added instruction is intended to address workplace speech that “vilifies, humiliates, or incites hatred” on the basis of protected characteristics, including sexual orientation and gender identity. The legislation does not establish a separate training program; employers are expected to fold the material into training they already provide.
The California Civil Rights Department’s posted training module defines gender identity as a person’s internal understanding of their gender. The module says that understanding may be male, female, a combination of male and female, neither, or nonbinary.
The California Family Council and pastors from traditional Christian churches object to the measure. They say it could place employers in the position of judging religious speech and deciding whether employees should face discipline. The law does not explicitly exempt churches or matters of conscience, according to the source report.
Greg Burt, vice president of the California Family Council, told Fox News Digital that the state’s training approach could condemn conservative views. He also argued that “hate speech” lacks a clear legal definition in state law, making the scope of the requirement uncertain. Burt told a state Assembly committee during a hearing last March, “You cannot regulate what you cannot define.”
Burt said earlier additions to harassment training covering gender identity and sexual orientation had left questions about what conduct amounts to discrimination or harassment. He suggested that uncertainty contributed to the Civil Rights Department’s development of the newer curriculum. He also warned that the law covers public school teachers and workers in many state-licensed industries, in addition to private-sector employees, and could expose employers to lawsuits if they do or do not take disciplinary action.
Pastor Paul Chappell of Lancaster Baptist Church, speaking on the Todd Starnes podcast, described AB 1803 as poorly written and said it could create bias against conservatives. Pastor Jack Hibbs of Calvary Chapel Chino Hills also criticized the law in remarks to Fox News Digital, characterizing it as government interference with churches and their teachings. Those are the pastors’ assessments; the source report does not describe a legal challenge or a court ruling on the measure.
Equality California, an LGBTQ+ advocacy group that supported the legislation, has said existing harassment training leaves a significant gap and employees vulnerable to hostile work environments. The group declined Fox News Digital’s request for comment. The report said the governor’s office and the California Civil Rights Department were contacted for comment; it did not provide responses from either.
The dispute centers on how the new training will be applied and whether it can be implemented without infringing on religious viewpoints. The supplied account presents criticisms from opponents and the stated rationale from a supporter, but does not include the state’s response or further details on enforcement.
