SENATE BILL 19

Safe Schools and Places of Worship Act

Closes a loophole in California law by allowing prosecution of credible threats against schools and places of worship—even when no specific person is named.

Description:

Senate Bill 19 (SB 19) strengthens California law by allowing prosecutors to take action on credible threats of violence against schools and places of worship, even if the threat doesn’t name a specific individual. Existing law limits enforcement unless a person is directly targeted, leaving institutions vulnerable to serious disruption and fear. SB 19 closes that gap to ensure safety comes first.

The bill responds to real-world incidents where threats of mass shootings or bombings were dismissed or uncharged because they targeted schools or faith communities broadly. It ensures prosecutors and law enforcement have the tools they need to act before violence occurs. The bill has earned strong support from law enforcement agencies, educators, and faith-based groups across the state.

What SB 19 Does:

• Closes a dangerous loophole by allowing prosecutors to charge individuals who make credible threats of mass violence against schools and places of worship, even if they don’t name a specific person.
• Clarifies that threats against institutions, not just individuals, are criminal offenses when they create a reasonable fear of imminent violence and disrupt the ability of schools and faith communities to function safely.
• Ensures accountability for those who knowingly and intentionally make threats by recognizing that even false threats can cause widespread panic, school closures, and costly law enforcement responses.
• Maintains existing legal standards requiring that a threat must be deliberate, credible, and cause actual fear, meaning a passing comment, vague statement, or artistic expression will not be criminalized.
• Provides law enforcement and prosecutors with a clear legal framework to act on serious threats before they escalate, rather than waiting until violence occurs.

What SB 19 Does Not Do:

• It does NOT criminalize free speech. The bill only applies to “true threats” or explicit statements that reasonably cause fear of imminent violence. Speech that is vague, hypothetical, artistic, or political remains fully protected under the First Amendment. Prosecutors must still prove intent before bringing charges.
• It does NOT criminalize students for non-threatening behavior. Schools retain full discretion to use counseling, discipline, or restorative justice when students make impulsive comments that do not meet the legal definition of a credible threat. A student venting frustration, writing a fictional story, or making an offhand joke is NOT criminalized under the bill.
• It does NOT expand law enforcement’s presence in schools. The bill does not mandate additional policing measures. It only clarifies when existing law enforcement responses can result in charges.
• It does NOT target mental health crises. The bill does not criminalize people experiencing a psychiatric emergency. Existing protections remain in place for individuals whose statements result from a crisis rather than a deliberate attempt to cause harm.

Why SB 19 is Needed:

Recent cases demonstrate the urgent need for The Safe Schools and Places of Worship Act.

• In San Diego, a 38-year-old man sent hundreds of emails threatening a mass shooting at an elementary school. The case was dismissed because the threats weren’t directed at a specific person. Prosecutors later refiled the charges with the principal as the named victim.
• A California teenager made nearly 400 threats of mass violence against schools and religious institutions across the country, yet many of the cases were difficult to prosecute under current state law.
• In March in Claremont, a “swatting” call falsely reporting an active shooter at Claremont McKenna College prompted a massive police response and campus lockdown, causing panic among students.