Christian Group Warns California ‘Anti-Hate Speech’ Training Law Could Threaten Religious Freedom

October 15, 2026

A Christian family advocacy organization is warning that California’s new “anti-hate speech” training requirements could create conflicts for pastors, churches and Christian employees who hold traditional religious beliefs.

Christianity Daily reports that Assembly Bill 1803, which was signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom last month, requires California employers with at least five employees to include instruction on identifying, reporting and confronting workplace speech that “vilifies, humiliates, or incites hatred” against people based on protected characteristics.

The measure is set to take effect Jan. 1, 2028, alongside AB 1578, another measure Newsom signed the same day.

AB 1578 requires paid local officials, including city council members, county supervisors and school board trustees, to receive “anti-hate speech” instruction through existing harassment training.

AB 1803 does not expressly provide a religious or conscience exemption for churches or other faith-based organizations.

California Family Council Vice President Greg Burt said the law’s broad language could subject traditional Christian beliefs about sexuality and gender to greater scrutiny.

According to Christianity Daily, Burt told Tony Perkins’ Washington Watch, “What I think the state is doing is trying to intimidate churches into following through with this. They should not be receiving any sort of ideological training from the state on any moral issue.”

Burt also warned that the law could open the door to government monitoring of and interference with what pastors preach from the pulpit.

Critics of AB 1803 argue that the central issue is whether broadly defined standards surrounding “hate speech” could eventually be applied to traditional Christian teaching, particularly on sexuality and gender.

Photo: top, Credit: Screenshot/YouTube/California Governor Gavin Newsom