In first for US state, California lawmakers pass bill to deem ‘Jewish’ an ethnicity

On Monday, California became the first state in the nation to officially acknowledge Jewish identity as an ethnicity, alongside its religious classification in state law, with the passage of Senate Bill 1387 (SB 1387). The Assembly and Senate both approved the bill unanimously, sending it to Governor Gavin Newsom for a signature or veto before a September 30 deadline.

The bill requires state agencies to include a separate category for Jewish identity when collecting demographic data on ancestry or ethnic origin. This move aims to ensure accurate representation of Jewish Californians in state datasets related to hate crimes, public health metrics, and educational outcomes. According to Pew Research Center's 2020 study of American Jews, 52% of respondents consider ancestry essential to their Jewish identity, and 55% attribute cultural significance, while only 36% define it purely through religion.

Current data collection systems in California have not reflected this multifaceted identity. Advocates argue that SB 1387 will lead to more accurate hate crime reports, health surveys, and education data, ultimately helping to inform better policies. The bill's provisions allow for voluntary participation and will only add a new demographic option without affecting existing religious data categories.

All data collected under this legislation will remain strictly aggregate to address privacy concerns, prohibiting its use for individual registries or law enforcement and immigration enforcement purposes. The new requirements will take effect in January 2029, with the first formal reports to be published starting January 2030. This landmark legislation marks California's potential role in setting a precedent for other states in demographic accounting.