California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who signed AB 2624.

Charles Ommanney / Office of the Governor of California (public domain) · source

Composite story

Newsom signs AB 2624, GOP-nicknamed the Stop Nick Shirley Act

Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 2624 expanding Safe at Home address confidentiality to immigration-services workers; Republicans call it the Stop Nick Shirley Act. Takes effect Oct. 1, 2027.

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 2624, expanding California’s Safe at Home program to immigration support services workers and barring posting of their personal information or images with intent to threaten or incite harm. Republicans, led by Assemblymember Carl DeMaio, call it the Stop Nick Shirley Act after the YouTuber’s fraud videos. It takes effect Oct. 1, 2027. Shirley rallied at the Capitol; House Republicans asked AG Todd Blanche to challenge it.

Shared facts

Shirley hosted a rally on Thursday to protest the bill.

Newsom announced he signed the bill.

A Republican lawmaker is asking DOJ to end a newly signed California bill extending harassment protections to immigration nonprofit workers.

The law expands Safe at Home, which already safeguards addresses of reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare workers.

AB 2624, authored by Mia Bonta, D-Oakland, was signed late last week after passing the Assembly on Aug. 19.

It makes it illegal to post personal information or photos of a designated immigration-support person with intent that a third party commit a violent crime or threaten them.

Conservatives have dubbed the bill the Stop Nick Shirley Act.

DeMaio calls it the Stop Nick Shirley Act after the influencer whose videos claimed fraud at Somali daycare centers in Minnesota.

Participants would get a substitute address shielding personal information.

Critics have questioned whether the law was crafted with Shirley in mind after his viral videos on alleged immigrant-services fraud.

Violators must have specific intent to incite great bodily harm or put someone in fear for their safety, according to the law.

Bonta introduced AB 2624.

Shirley is a YouTuber whose content includes following immigrant workers in blue cities and accusing them of fraud.

The law goes into effect Oct. 1, 2027.

Shirley claimed to expose fraud at Somali daycare centers in Minnesota.

In March Shirley said he found millions in fraud in California.

If that demand is not followed, the violator can be fined thousands of dollars.

Bonta said Safe at Home already protects domestic-violence victims and reproductive and gender-affirming care workers.

Bonta said people who help immigrant communities should not have to fear being doxxed.

Shirley testified at a Senate Homeland Security hearing on exposing fraud on July 15, 2026.

Angelica Salas told an Assembly committee her organization had experienced threats of violence, some naming her personally.

Author Mia Bonta insists the law does not affect journalists and said she was trying to boost privacy of workers helping immigrants.

Disputed facts

DeMaio and other Republicans have claimed some language would bar people like Shirley from uncovering alleged wrongdoing.

DeMaio said they are blatantly violating First Amendment speech rights.

The Examiner said that rally was on Thursday.

Shared opinions

DeMaio said that instead of fixing waste, fraud, and abuse they are trying to punish people exposing it.

Bonta said that is an intolerable consequence of anti-immigrant rhetoric.

Bonta said she is proud California is rejecting that even when the political cost of supporting immigrant communities is called too high.

Deseret News

Why does a California law have Nick Shirley’s name attached to it?

Emma Pitts

28 Aug 2026

Facts

Shirley spoke at a Utah Federation of College Republicans event at the University of Utah on April 10, 2026.

Mia Bonta introduced AB 2624 less than two months after Shirley’s Minnesota video went viral.

DeMaio said this in a New York Post op-ed.

Shirley often arrived unannounced, confronted people on the ground, used public records, and got help from a Minneapolis fraud researcher.

Shirley often arrived unannounced at the centers, engaging in on-the-ground confrontations and using public records, with assistance from a Minneapolis man who has researched fraud in the state for years.

fact

A month later Vice President JD Vance launched the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud.

The claims triggered mixed state and federal scrutiny.

Mia Bonta is married to California Attorney General Rob Bonta.

Opinion

Shirley said California’s fraud is worse than Minnesota’s and called it a billion-dollar fraud crisis.

Shirley said immigrant support service providers are used to funnel millions to nonprofits and NGOs and to provide health care for illegal migrants.

“Here in California, they’ve learned that by using immigrant support service providers, they can funnel millions upon millions of dollars to nonprofits, NGO’s, provide health care for illegal migrants and immigrants just in general,” he added. “And then they will then funnel that money back into their agendas. And it’s one big churn wheel that continues to enable the fraud and continue to push these crazy agendas here inside the state of California.”

right · pluralist

Bonta said doxxing isn’t journalism.

But Bonta said the bill is for protecting Californians who serve the state’s immigrant community, and “doesn’t stop journalism or fraud investigations; it stops bad-faith actors from doxxing workers serving immigrants with proven intent to threaten or incite violence. Doxxing isn’t journalism.”

left · authoritarian

Shirley said the money is funneled back into agendas in one big churn wheel that enables fraud.

“Here in California, they’ve learned that by using immigrant support service providers, they can funnel millions upon millions of dollars to nonprofits, NGO’s, provide health care for illegal migrants and immigrants just in general,” he added. “And then they will then funnel that money back into their agendas. And it’s one big churn wheel that continues to enable the fraud and continue to push these crazy agendas here inside the state of California.”

right · pluralist

Shirley said that while the attorney general is supposed to go after fraudsters, his wife is doing the opposite.

Shirley argued that marriage was ironic given the attorney general’s duty to investigate fraud.

New York Post

Congress Republicans ask DOJ to challenge California’s ‘Stop Nick Shirley Act’

Titus Wu

28 Aug 2026

Facts

Nine members of Congress demanded that Attorney General Todd Blanche investigate the law and take legal action to stop it.

Critics accused him of trying to shield people accused of fraud from public scrutiny.

They said the law could interfere with efforts to expose alleged fraud.

Rep. James Gallagher led the lawmakers.

A provider can sue and seek at least $4,000 in damages from a violator.

Reps. Vince Fong, Young Kim, and Tom McClintock joined, and Rep. August Pfluger also backed the letter.

The letter was first shared with The California Post.

Shirley appeared with Sen. Tony Strickland and Michael Gates at a Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026, protest of the signing.

Shirley and state Republicans said Wednesday at a Sacramento rally they are considering their own challenges.

Shirley and state Republicans are also considering challenges of their own, they said Wednesday at a Sacramento rally. The Youtuber hinted at the possibility of testing the law, with allies promising to sue if the law is used to prosecute Shirley and others like him.

attribution · Nick Shirley

Fong said Shirley’s reporting raised serious questions about alleged fraud.

“Nick Shirley’s reporting raised serious questions about alleged fraud. Instead of making it easier to investigate those allegations, Newsom signed a law that creates new legal risks around reporting and publishing information about the people involved. That is exactly backwards,” said Fong in a statement shared to The Post.

attribution · Vince Fong

Shirley hinted at testing the law, and allies promised to sue if it is used to prosecute him or others like him.

Shirley and state Republicans are also considering challenges of their own, they said Wednesday at a Sacramento rally. The Youtuber hinted at the possibility of testing the law, with allies promising to sue if the law is used to prosecute Shirley and others like him.

fact

Pacific Justice Institute attorney Brad Dacus pledged to defend people like Shirley who are challenged in court.

“We pledge to defend every single one of you, and everyone like Nick, who is challenged in court from zealous prosecutors trying to shut you down,” Brad Dacus, an attorney at the Pacific Justice Institute, said. “They will not get away with it.”

attribution · Brad Dacus

The letter said Trump’s administration has made tackling fraud a priority and fighting California’s law is part of that mission.

In the letter, the congressmembers pointed out that President Donald Trump’s administration has made tackling fraud a priority and argued that fighting California’s law is a part of that mission.

attribution · House Republicans

Bonta said she welcomes protest and a free press holding the state accountable, but not violence against people serving their neighbors.

“I welcome protest. I welcome a free press holding this state accountable. What I don’t welcome is violence against people whose only guilt is trying to serve their neighbors,” Bonta said.

attribution · Mia Bonta

In a Thursday video Bonta dismissed the Shirley rally for spreading lies and outrage against her bill.

The Post asked the Justice Department whether it would act on the request.

Attorney General Todd Blanche appeared with President Trump on Aug. 14, 2026, in Garden City, N.Y.

Opinion

The letter said California Democrats and Newsom are taking brazen and potentially unconstitutional steps to impede fraud work.

“The important work of uncovering and addressing fraud is just beginning, and yet California Democrats and Governor Newsom are taking brazen and potentially unconstitutional steps to impede it,” the letter read.

right · libertarian

Fong said Newsom signed a law that creates new legal risks around reporting instead of making investigation easier, and that is exactly backwards.

“Nick Shirley’s reporting raised serious questions about alleged fraud. Instead of making it easier to investigate those allegations, Newsom signed a law that creates new legal risks around reporting and publishing information about the people involved. That is exactly backwards,” said Fong in a statement shared to The Post.

right · libertarian

Gallagher said Sacramento passed a law that could make it harder to expose fraud instead of going after fraud.

“This is classic Sacramento. Instead of going after fraud and demanding answers about where taxpayer dollars are going, they pass a law that could make it harder for people to expose it,” Gallagher said. “That’s completely backwards. Californians deserve to know where their money is going, and journalists should be able to follow the facts without Sacramento getting in the way.”

right · libertarian

The letter said every loophole exploited by fraudsters and supported by Newsom must be closed.

Dacus said they will not get away with it.

San Francisco Chronicle

Newsom signs immigrant protection bill derided by GOP as the ‘Stop Nick Shirley Act’

Sarah Brager

22 Aug 2026

Facts

Mia Bonta, D-Alameda, introduced the bill in February after reports of increased threats against immigration services providers.

Newsom said in early February that Somali daycare providers in San Diego were under siege after Shirley arrived to shoot content.

Newsom said in early February that Somali daycare providers in San Diego were “under siege” following Shirley’s arrival in the community to shoot content after viral videos he’d produced about Minnesota went viral.

attribution · Gavin Newsom

Bonta appeared with Newsom and Health Secretary Kim Johnson at a March 2 press conference.

Saturday’s signing narrowly expands eligibility to employees at nonprofits serving people in the immigration system.

The bill cleared the Senate on Tuesday and passed the Assembly on Wednesday.

Safe at Home has been in place since 1999 and offers substitute mailing addresses to people vulnerable to targeted attacks.

Angelica Salas told the committee people looking for her ended up at her mother’s home.

“They were looking for me and ended up in my mother’s home,” Angelica Salas, executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, told the committee. “There’s so many of my colleagues where individuals have shown up to their home, who have been threatened, and this is not just our organization, but many others.”

attribution · Angelica Salas

April Privacy Committee testimony described a surge of threats including hate calls and stalking.

The bill was considered uncontroversial until early April, when DeMaio claimed it would intimidate people trying to shine light on bad behavior.

Bonta’s bill was considered uncontroversial until early April when DeMaio claimed it would intimidate people “trying to shine light on bad behavior,” referring to Shirley, a prominent YouTuber whose content includes following immigrant workers in blue cities and accusing them of committing fraud.

fact

Bonta said the law does not conflate the press with the doxxing Safe at Home targets.

DeMaio claimed it would intimidate people trying to shine light on bad behavior.

Bonta’s bill was considered uncontroversial until early April when DeMaio claimed it would intimidate people “trying to shine light on bad behavior,” referring to Shirley, a prominent YouTuber whose content includes following immigrant workers in blue cities and accusing them of committing fraud.

attribution · Carl DeMaio

Eligible people must apply through the secretary of state and document threats, harassment, or violence in the past year.

Individuals who are eligible for the Safe at Home program must apply through the secretary of state and document that they — or the organization they work for — have faced threats, harassment or violence within the past year.

fact

Sen. Ashley Moody referenced the Stop Nick Shirley Act and said it should be called the Protect Fraudsters Act.

The bill even garnered attention in the U.S. Senate last month when Sen. Ashley Moody, R-Fla., referenced the “Stop Nick Shirley Act” in California, saying it should be called the “Protect Fraudsters Act.”

attribution · Ashley Moody

Once certified, agencies must accept a substitute address in place of a real home, school, or workplace.

Immigration nonprofits can apply beginning next October.

Opinion

The Chronicle said Republicans falsely claimed the legislation would obstruct journalists from uncovering fraud.

Newsom signed Assembly Bill 2624 into law after months of vitriolic attacks from Republicans in California and Washington falsely claimed the legislation would obstruct journalists from uncovering fraud. Assembly Member Carl DeMaio, R-San Diego, an outspoken conservative lawmaker, nicknamed the bill the “Stop Nick Shirley Act,” a claim the right-wing online provocateur and other Republicans quickly seized on.

left · pluralist

The Chronicle said that came after months of vitriolic attacks from Republicans.

Newsom signed Assembly Bill 2624 into law after months of vitriolic attacks from Republicans in California and Washington falsely claimed the legislation would obstruct journalists from uncovering fraud. Assembly Member Carl DeMaio, R-San Diego, an outspoken conservative lawmaker, nicknamed the bill the “Stop Nick Shirley Act,” a claim the right-wing online provocateur and other Republicans quickly seized on.

left · pluralist

The Chronicle called Shirley a right-wing online provocateur.

Newsom signed Assembly Bill 2624 into law after months of vitriolic attacks from Republicans in California and Washington falsely claimed the legislation would obstruct journalists from uncovering fraud. Assembly Member Carl DeMaio, R-San Diego, an outspoken conservative lawmaker, nicknamed the bill the “Stop Nick Shirley Act,” a claim the right-wing online provocateur and other Republicans quickly seized on.

center · pluralist

The Sacramento Bee

Newsom signs immigrant services confidentiality bill, so-called Stop Nick Shirley Act

Sofia Williams

24 Aug 2026

Facts

Assembly Bill 2624 is named the Safe at Work Act.

Assembly Bill 2624, named the “Safe at Work Act,” would allow immigration support services providers to protect themselves from harassment and violence by removing their addresses from the public record. It would also prohibit others from publishing these individuals’ addresses or other personal data online for the purpose of violence or harassment. The measure passed both chambers along party lines.

fact

The measure passed both chambers along party lines.

Assembly Bill 2624, named the “Safe at Work Act,” would allow immigration support services providers to protect themselves from harassment and violence by removing their addresses from the public record. It would also prohibit others from publishing these individuals’ addresses or other personal data online for the purpose of violence or harassment. The measure passed both chambers along party lines.

fact

Bonta said it does not prevent lawful reporting of public-concern matters and is focused on misuse of personal information, not restricting lawful speech.

“It is very clear in the legislation,” Bonta said in an April 21 Assembly committee hearing. “Constitutional free speech protections still fully apply. It does not prevent lawful reporting of matters of public concern, and the bill is narrowly focused on preventing misuse of personal information, not restricting lawful speech.”

attribution · Mia Bonta

In a later video Shirley alleged fraud at Somali-run hospice centers in San Diego.

Republican lawmakers have taken to calling the legislation the “Stop Nick Shirley Act.” The name references an online political creator whose viral video claimed to uncover more than $100 million in fraud at Somali-run daycare centers in Minnesota. In a later video, Shirley made similar allegations of fraud at Somali-run hospice care centers in San Diego.

fact

Monica Madrid said workers worry about being followed home, not only about the office.

“People are not just worried about what happens at the office, they’re worried about being followed home,” said Monica Madrid, a state policy advocate with the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, during an Assembly committee hearing. “No one should have to live like that. AB 2624 is about giving us a basic level of protection so that we can continue doing this work without constantly looking over our shoulders.”

attribution · Monica Madrid

Mail would be rerouted through the secretary of state.

Bonta told the Assembly on Aug. 19 that the bill’s visibility brought harassment of her and her team.

In a Sunday post Shirley said the fight was far from over and called followers to a Wednesday Capitol rally.

An April 18 video showed Shirley approaching Democratic legislators walking from the Capitol to O Street offices.

Opinion

Strickland said more people should look at how California spends money, with more transparency and accountability.

“(The legislation) makes it harder for investigative reporters like Nick Shirley to do what they’ve done and, quite frankly, I think we need more people looking at how we’re spending our money, and more transparency and accountability,” said Sen. Tony Strickland, R-Huntington Beach, in an interview with The Sacramento Bee.

right · libertarian

Bonta called the fight a manufactured controversy and said supporting the bill rejects policy written by hate and driven by clicks.

“Colleagues, I know some of you have felt the heat of this manufactured controversy in your own offices. I have too,” Bonta said. “When we support AB 2624 today, we are not only protecting the people who serve our immigrant neighbors, we are rejecting the idea that policy in this state gets written by hate and driven by clicks.”

left · pluralist

Madrid said no one should have to live like that and AB 2624 gives a basic level of protection.

“People are not just worried about what happens at the office, they’re worried about being followed home,” said Monica Madrid, a state policy advocate with the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, during an Assembly committee hearing. “No one should have to live like that. AB 2624 is about giving us a basic level of protection so that we can continue doing this work without constantly looking over our shoulders.”

left · authoritarian

Just the News

California law dubbed the 'Stop Nick Shirley Act' gets GOP pushback at state Capitol

Madeline Shannon

26 Aug 2026

Facts

It passed the Assembly on Aug. 19.

Assembly Bill 2624, authored by Assemblymember Mia Bonta, D-Oakland, was signed into law by the Democratic California governor late last week after it passed Aug.19 on the Assembly floor in Sacramento. The bill protects the personal identifiable information of immigrant services organization workers from being published online, in large part to protect those workers from being harassed, threatened and doxxed.

fact

Sen. Tony Strickland spoke at the Capitol press conference with Shirley standing next to him.

“In America, we have a right to free speech and freedom of the press,” Sen. Tony Strickland, R-Huntington Beach, said at the press conference outside the Capitol, where Shirley stood next to Strickland. “This bill has vague language that could raise serious First Amendment concerns and interfere with the freedom of the press and freedom of speech.”

fact

Posts on X showed CHP officers arresting a man who allegedly clashed with rally attendees.

Shirley also spoke at the press conference.

Democrats defended the bill as ensuring safety of employees and volunteers at immigration-services groups.

The press conference was part of a rally that continued after speakers finished with reporters.

CHP’s Capitol Protection Division declined questions and said it would issue a press release soon.

Opinion

Shirley said California is going after people who would expose fraud instead of going after fraudsters.

“Here in California, instead of going after the fraudsters, we are now going after those who are going to expose the fraud,” Shirley told the crowd. “There’s actually no need for this bill. They just created a protected class by calling this group, immigration support services providers, saying that I, and you, cannot expose them.”

right · libertarian

Strickland said the bill has vague language that could raise serious First Amendment concerns and interfere with press and speech.

“In America, we have a right to free speech and freedom of the press,” Sen. Tony Strickland, R-Huntington Beach, said at the press conference outside the Capitol, where Shirley stood next to Strickland. “This bill has vague language that could raise serious First Amendment concerns and interfere with the freedom of the press and freedom of speech.”

center · libertarian

Shirley said they created a protected class of immigration support services providers who cannot be exposed.

“Here in California, instead of going after the fraudsters, we are now going after those who are going to expose the fraud,” Shirley told the crowd. “There’s actually no need for this bill. They just created a protected class by calling this group, immigration support services providers, saying that I, and you, cannot expose them.”

right · libertarian

Shirley said there is actually no need for the bill.

“Here in California, instead of going after the fraudsters, we are now going after those who are going to expose the fraud,” Shirley told the crowd. “There’s actually no need for this bill. They just created a protected class by calling this group, immigration support services providers, saying that I, and you, cannot expose them.”

right · libertarian

Bonta said right-wing agitators are intentionally misrepresenting AB 2624.

“Right wing agitators are intentionally misrepresenting my legislation, AB 2624, because they believe that people who have dedicated their careers to serving their community should be silenced and forced into the shadows,” Bonta said in a video message previously sent to The Center Square. “People who work to help immigrant communities should not have to fear being doxxed for doing so.”

left · pluralist

Washington Examiner

Tiana Lowe Doescher rips ‘Stop Nick Shirley Act’ signed into law in California

Mackenzie Chase

28 Aug 2026

Facts

Doescher said this Thursday on Newsmax’s The Right Squad.

“They are extending the state’s Safe At Home Address Confidentiality program, basically saying, you can’t post a video or a photo of someone, obviously committing fraud using taxpayer-funded services, as long as they say they have a ‘reasonable fear for their safety,’” Doescher said Thursday on Newsmax’s The Right Squad.

fact

Shirley said the bill set a bad precedent, describing a hypothetical of hiring a third party to commit violence and pin it on him.

Doescher said Shirley recently “schooled” a New York Times reporter when asked about the bill. Shirley said the bill set a bad precedent, giving a hypothetical scenario of someone hiring a third party to commit violence in order to pin the blame on him.

“That means that they could literally hire somebody to go commit the crime and say, ‘that third party was because of Nick Shirley,’” Shirley said to the New York Times reporter. “And then Nick Shirley is responsible for that crime. And then, we’re going to give Nick Shirley that $4,000 fine.”

attribution · Nick Shirley

Doescher said DOJ plans to look into the law if California’s attorney general begins enforcing it.

The Newsmax panel also discussed what this law could mean for journalists trying to obtain information legally. The Justice Department plans to look into the law if California’s attorney general begins enforcing it, Doescher said as she questioned whether the bill would pass legal muster.

attribution · Tiana Lowe Doescher

It was briefly interrupted by counterprotesters.

The Newsmax panel discussed what the law could mean for journalists trying to obtain information legally.

The Newsmax panel also discussed what this law could mean for journalists trying to obtain information legally. The Justice Department plans to look into the law if California’s attorney general begins enforcing it, Doescher said as she questioned whether the bill would pass legal muster.

fact

Opinion

Doescher argued the law would inhibit journalists looking into fraud.

The Examiner said Doescher blasted Newsom and California left-wing politicians after the law passed.

Doescher said Shirley recently schooled a New York Times reporter about the bill.

Doescher said Shirley recently “schooled” a New York Times reporter when asked about the bill. Shirley said the bill set a bad precedent, giving a hypothetical scenario of someone hiring a third party to commit violence in order to pin the blame on him.

center · pluralist

Doescher said Antifa members came to promote anti-free-speech beliefs until law enforcement dragged them away.

“It wouldn’t be a rally without interference from left-wing agitators,” Doescher said. “Antifa members made their way to the rally to promote their anti-free speech beliefs, but not before law enforcement intervened, dragging these lunatics away.”

right · pluralist

Doescher said it would not be a rally without interference from left-wing agitators.

“It wouldn’t be a rally without interference from left-wing agitators,” Doescher said. “Antifa members made their way to the rally to promote their anti-free speech beliefs, but not before law enforcement intervened, dragging these lunatics away.”

right · libertarian

Doescher questioned whether the bill would pass legal muster.

The Newsmax panel also discussed what this law could mean for journalists trying to obtain information legally. The Justice Department plans to look into the law if California’s attorney general begins enforcing it, Doescher said as she questioned whether the bill would pass legal muster.

center · libertarian

KQED

Republican Lawmaker Wants DOJ to Block New Protections for Immigration Nonprofit Workers

Samantha Kennedy

23 Aug 2026

Facts

DeMaio called on DOJ’s Office of Civil Rights to block AB 2624 over alleged First Amendment violations a day after Newsom announced the signing.

Assemblymember Carl DeMaio, R-San Diego, called on the DOJ’s Office of Civil Rights to block the implementation of Assembly Bill 2624 due to alleged violations of the First Amendment a day after Gov. Gavin Newsom announced he signed the bill.

fact

A participant or authorized organization can make a written demand not to share their personal information or image.

The provision DeMaio points to allows a program participant or organization protected by the new law to make a written demand not to publicly share or disclose their personal information or image. If that request is not followed, the individual or group violating that provision can be fined thousands of dollars.

fact

DeMaio visited the Riverside County Registrar of Voters on March 2, 2026, for a voter-ID press conference.

Assemblymember Carl DeMaio, R-San Diego, visits the Riverside County Registrar of Voters on March 2, 2026, for a press conference highlighting voter signatures in favor of placing a voter ID measure on the November ballot. DeMaio is asking the Department of Justice to block a law that will keep addresses for immigration service providers confidential. (Anjali Sharif-Paul/MediaNews Group/The Sun via Getty Images)

fact

First Amendment lawyer Jim Wagstaffe said free-speech rights give way to protections against violence.

But Jim Wagstaffe, a First Amendment lawyer, said that Free Speech rights give way to protections against violence.

“There’s no First Amendment right to threaten somebody or to stalk them or to otherwise use private information,” Wagstaffe said.

attribution · Jim Wagstaffe

Bonta said hate and harassment against immigrant service providers is at the heart of the bill.

Bonta spoke during an Assembly meeting at the Capitol on Aug. 21, 2025.

Democratic Assemblymember Mia Bonta speaks during a meeting of the California State Assembly at the California State Capitol on Aug. 21, 2025, in Sacramento, California. Bonta introduced AB 2624 and says DeMaio is using the bill as “a vehicle to demonize immigrants.” (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

fact

Gender-affirming care address protections were made law under AB 82 and took effect this year.

The law itself expands the state’s Safe at Home program that safeguards addresses of reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare workers. Protections for gender-affirming healthcare workers were made law under AB 82 and went into effect this year.

fact

United Domestic Workers said Somali daycare workers in Southern California reported harassment by people trying to expose alleged fraud similar to Minnesota.

Somali daycare workers in Southern California reported earlier this year being harassed by those who set out to expose similar alleged fraud as that in Minnesota, according to the United Domestic Workers.

attribution · United Domestic Workers

Our Duty argued those earlier protections also violated the First Amendment.

Bonta said that’s why she brought this legislation forward.

Neither the DOJ nor DeMaio responded to KQED’s request for comment.

Opinion

Bonta says DeMaio is using the bill as a vehicle to demonize immigrants.

Democratic Assemblymember Mia Bonta speaks during a meeting of the California State Assembly at the California State Capitol on Aug. 21, 2025, in Sacramento, California. Bonta introduced AB 2624 and says DeMaio is using the bill as “a vehicle to demonize immigrants.” (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

left · pluralist

Bonta told KQED that the intent requirement gets lost in what she called the crazy talk of DeMaio and his kind.

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